A Marshalltown-based business is changing the way crops are sprayed in Iowa—using drones that weigh nearly 80 pounds.
The company, Heartland Sky, offers a high-tech alternative to traditional crop spraying by using large drones to spray fertilizer and chemicals across fields in central Iowa.
These drones are designed specifically for agriculture and can carry up to eight gallons of liquid at a time. The team at Heartland Sky uses a controller with two sticks, similar to a video game controller, to guide the drone.
Once in the air, the drone is capable of spraying chemicals on the crops in a precise and even way. This new approach is not only safer but also more efficient compared to older spraying methods.
In traditional crop spraying, farmers often had to rely on heavy machinery or even small aircraft to cover their fields. But these options can be risky, expensive, and time-consuming.
Heartland Sky’s drone service cuts down the labor, reduces fuel costs, and keeps the operator at a safe distance from harmful chemicals.
The company was started by Austin Murphy, who grew up farming and saw the need for better solutions in agriculture. After seeing drone spraying being used overseas, he decided to bring the idea to Iowa. Murphy now holds a commercial drone license and is excited to see farmers welcome this innovation.
One key benefit of using drones is their ability to operate even in areas that are difficult to reach with larger equipment. This is especially useful in situations where crops are already growing, and the ground is too soft or uneven for tractors to pass through.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires commercial drone operators to be licensed and follow safety rules. Heartland Sky operates within these regulations and is currently one of the few companies offering such services in the state.
Murphy says the demand is growing quickly, especially as more farmers see the benefits firsthand. He believes that drone technology is the future of agriculture, and he’s already expanding services to reach more parts of Iowa.
As drone usage continues to rise in farming, businesses like Heartland Sky are proving that combining technology with agriculture can lead to better results, higher efficiency, and safer working conditions.