Numbered Publications by Joshua Jackson
AEN-174: Drone Sprayer Sizing for Agricultural Applications
Joshua Jackson, Karla Ladino | Mar. 6, 2024 (New)
Sprayers are essential in agriculture, since they apply products that control weeds, pests, and diseases. In recent years, drone sprayers have gained popularity due to advantages associated with their flexibility in application timing, ability to operate without being constrained by ground conditions, and ease of deployment. Given the growing number of manufacturers and the wide range of available sizes, it can be challenging to select an optimally sized drone sprayer for a user's specific needs, as this decision carries significant economic implications.
AEN-171: General Considerations and Requirements for Drone Spraying
Gabriel Abdulai, Joshua Jackson, Karla Ladino | Nov. 29, 2022 (New)
The purchase of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) sprayer, also known as a drone sprayer, must be evaluated carefully. For farmers and sprayer service providers who are thinking about purchasing drone sprayers for their operations, this publication will summarize the potential uses, background information, certificates and licenses required, equipment needed, utilities used, software implemented, insurance needed, maintenance and repairs executed, cost metric utilized, time allocated, and application effectiveness considerations.
AEN-172: Decision Aid to Determine the Cost of Using a Drone Sprayer in Production Agriculture
Gabriel Abdulai, Joshua Jackson, Karla Ladino, Tim Stombaugh | Nov. 29, 2022 (New)
Similar to other agricultural equipment purchases, cost and potential for return on investment for drone sprayers must be carefully evaluated. General Considerations and Requirements for Drone Spraying (AEN-171) summarized what aspects should be evaluated prior to the purchase of a drone sprayer, or unmanned aerial systems (UAS) sprayer. These aspects include cost considerations, potential uses, certificates and licenses, equipment, utilities, software, insurance, maintenance and repairs, and time allocation.
AEN-160: Decision Aid for Estimating the Cost of Using a Drone in Production Agriculture
Gabriel Abdulai, Joshua Jackson, Karla Ladino | Jun. 9, 2021 (New)
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, play an increasingly important role in production agriculture. UAS are already widely used in agriculture for monitoring livestock, inspecting fence lines, and evaluating crops and pastures (e.g., yield, quality, nutrients, water stress, pest pressure, disease impact). The cost of using a UAS will depend on a variety of factors, including platform-based capabilities, maintenance, and insurance. As with any investment, the economic benefit derived from using a UAS should be determined prior to purchase.
AEN-159: Using Drones to Monitor Fence Lines
Joshua Jackson | Feb. 16, 2021 (New)
The escape of livestock is a serious concern for producers. Escaped animals can potentially damage property and/or injure people, especially when they are loose in undesired areas. Fence line inspection and the monitoring of gates, wires, and latches is a time-consuming task that must be regularly conducted to mitigate the risk of escape. The use of drones to evaluate fence lines is one of the newer methods being evaluated for farmers. With their onboard camera, rapid flight speed, and ability to fly over obstacles, drones have potential to expedite fence line inspection.
AEN-156: Using a Kit to Set up a Cattle Scale System under a Squeeze Chute
Joshua Jackson | Oct. 23, 2020 (New)
On cattle operations, the use of a scale system to weigh animals is vital to the proper administration of health products such as dewormers and antibiotics, and for making management decisions. A scale system mounted to a chute allows animals to be securely restrained for measuring weights accurately and minimally impacts cattle flow through the working facilities. Excitable animals can be properly restrained and, with their movement limited, cattle can be weighed accurately.
AEN-152: Building a Hoop Barn
Morgan Hayes, Joshua Jackson | Jul. 15, 2020 (New)
Hoop barns are a cost-effective alternative to pole barns. For example, a farmer might choose a hoop barn when deciding to expand hay sales, or for providing cover for costly equipment. Hoop barns have the additional benefit of being a construction project that can be done by the farmer (and a group of friends), which can provide an additional cost savings. This publication goes through the steps involved by following the construction of two hoop barns built by a local farmer. In this case, hoop barns were built to increase the farm's hay storage capacity.
AEN-146: UAV How-To: Create a Forage Canopy Model with Photogrammetry
Joe Dvorak, Joshua Jackson, Cameron Minch, Tucker Sheffield | Mar. 9, 2020 (New)
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are quickly becoming more integrated into producers' on-farm operations. With the advent of this new technology, users must understand how to convert raw UAV data into an applicable medium. Often the goal of UAV flights is to create a map of the output from a certain type of sensor. Thompson et al. (2018) have defined a general mapping process independent of drone type, sensor type, and mapping software. However, general mapping is significantly different than trying to record a three-dimensional model of the plant canopy structure. This article expands upon the workflow and details the process for developing a canopy model of a crop.
AEN-145: Designing or Reworking Your Cattle-handling Facilities: A Checklist for Success
Morgan Hayes, Joshua Jackson | Feb. 3, 2020 (New)
Cattle-handling facilities should be designed to match the management goals of the operation. The safety of workers and cattle should be the highest priority when designing or reworking a handling facility. A well-designed facility will make working cattle faster, safer, less labor intensive, and less frustrating.
AEN-140: Constructing a Platform Alley Scale System
Joshua Jackson | Jun. 17, 2019 (New)
Most producers would like information on cattle weight to improve management. The widespread use of cattle scales on most farms in Kentucky is limited by the cost of purchasing the equipment. Local cattlemen's associations or extension office's frequently have scale systems to rent or borrow. This has challenges due to scheduling conflicts, reliability, rental fees, or the scale may not align with the handling facility layouts. There are two options for producers to obtain cattle weights--in the alley or at the chute. An alley scale provides the ability to measure cattle weight independent of the head gate or cattle chute. This publication describes the measurement of cattle in the alley leading to a head gate or cattle chute.
