Building Nebraska Leadership in Spray Drones

By Scout Nelson

The third annual Nebraska Ag and Spray Drone Conference was held August 21-22 at the Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk. Sponsored by Nebraska Extension and Northeast Community College, the two-day event attracted about 100 participants, including commercial pilots, land managers, students, and producers.

The conference examined both the potential and the risks of spray drones in agriculture. Sessions highlighted the technology’s ability to deliver strong returns on investment while also stressing the importance of understanding liability, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Dirk Charlson, Nebraska Extension educator, noted that drones are now being applied across multiple industries, from field mapping to window washing, and may soon be used for tasks as precise as painting lines on athletic fields. “Everyone feels like they are by themselves when they enter this industry. One of the goals of this conference is to bring us together,” Charlson said.

Participants received Purdue University’s guide, The Evolution of Spray Drones: Their Capabilities and Challenges for Pesticide Applications, which reviews current technology and regulatory issues for pesticide use. Vendors and speakers from across the Midwest encouraged audience interaction, creating a forum for shared experiences and practical solutions.

Attendees discussed common concerns, including equipment costs, licensing requirements, and liability. Many stressed the need to follow rules and operate legally, as regulations govern both pilot certification and safe use around obstacles like power lines. There is also rising demand for trained pilots, with calls for a central listing of job opportunities to help manage logistics and travel.

Expanding drone use into non-agricultural fields such as emergency response, natural resource management, and fire suppression was presented as a way to offset costs and broaden industry opportunities. With technology evolving quickly, presenters emphasized the potential for Nebraska to become a leader in spray drone adoption and development.

By bringing together educators, pilots, and industry leaders, the Nebraska Ag and Spray Drone Conference underscored both the promise and the challenges of this emerging sector, setting the stage for continued growth in 2026.

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