How Drones Are Changing Agriculture: Mapping, Monitoring and Maximising Yields

28 May

Modern farming is no longer just about soil, seed, and weather — it’s about data. Across the UK, farmers and land managers are turning to drones for a faster, smarter way to monitor crops, assess land, and increase efficiency.

At CAV Aerial, we offer drone services that support precision agriculture — combining thermal imaging, photogrammetry, and aerial photography to give farmers better insight into what’s happening on their land.

What Can Drones Do for Agriculture?

Using drones in agriculture can help identify problems early, optimise yields, and reduce input costs. Common applications include:

✅ Crop Health Monitoring

Multispectral or standard RGB imagery reveals patterns of plant stress, disease, or irrigation issues before they’re visible from the ground.

✅ NDVI Mapping

Using the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), drones detect photosynthetic activity — helping to pinpoint weak or underperforming areas of a field.

✅ Soil & Irrigation Analysis

Thermal drones can highlight overly dry or waterlogged zones, supporting smarter irrigation planning.

✅ Field & Asset Mapping

Create accurate maps of fields, boundary lines, hedgerows, and infrastructure for farm planning and records.

✅ Livestock & Perimeter Monitoring

Use drones to check fences, gates, and even locate livestock over large areas — reducing time spent on foot.

Case Study: Drone Surveys in Northumberland Farms

A cluster of farms in Northumberland used drone NDVI mapping during the dry 2022 growing season. By identifying stressed crop areas early, they adjusted irrigation and fertiliser regimes — improving yield by 8% without increasing spend. The drone also mapped gorse encroachment along the boundary line, helping reclaim over half an acre of usable pasture.

Why Use CAV Aerial?

Experienced drone operators with GVC certification
Fast turnaround on NDVI maps and thermal reports
Tailored deliverables for agronomists or landowners
Based in the UK, serving Kent, Sussex, London and rural areas across England

We use high-resolution mapping techniques and drone automation to fly precise patterns over large fields — gathering data in a fraction of the time it would take on foot or with tractors.

Can You Get Funding?

Drone surveys may be eligible as part of Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) or local innovation grants through:

DEFRA
Farming Innovation Programme
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)

We can provide quotes and sample outputs to support your funding application or trial use.

Let’s Fly Over Your Fields

Whether you manage a 100-acre estate or a family farm, drone data can help you make better decisions, faster.
Email info@cavaerial.com or visit www.cavaerial.com to request a quote or demo.

Constantine Callaghan