Drone Seeding, Relay Cropping & Biological Applications

Tuesday, August 11 | 7:00–9:00 PM
Moat Farms | Arras, BC
Part of the PRFA August Grazing Series

What if you could add another crop without driving through the one that’s already growing?

Join the Peace River Forage Association at Moat Farms for an evening exploring how drone technology can open up new opportunities for seeding, intercropping, relay cropping and biological applications — without physically disturbing an established crop.

For this stop in our August Grazing Series, we’ll be joined by Kris Bowen of Sacred Acre, who will bring his agricultural drone for an on-farm demonstration and discussion about how this technology can be put to work in Peace Region cropping and grazing systems.

What we’ll explore

Seeding into an established crop
This season, Moat Farms had an established barley crop but wanted to introduce clover between the barley rows. Rather than driving seeding equipment through the emerged crop, Kris was brought in to custom seed the clover by drone — allowing another species to be added with no wheel traffic or physical disturbance to the growing barley.

We’ll take a look at the field and talk about the process, what was done and what producers can learn from the experience.

New possibilities for relay cropping and intercropping
Being able to seed without driving across the field creates some interesting opportunities. Could a second crop be introduced later in the growing season? Could another species be established before the first crop is harvested? Could cover crops or forage species be added when conventional equipment can’t practically get into the field?

We’ll use the Moat Farms example as a starting point to discuss where drone seeding may fit into relay cropping, intercropping and other multi-species systems.

See an agricultural drone in action
Kris will have his drone on site and will walk us through how it works, what it can do and some of the practical considerations around using drones for agricultural applications.

This is an opportunity to see the technology up close and ask questions directly from someone already using it commercially in the region.

Taking biological products to field scale
Drone technology isn’t limited to seeding. Kris also uses his drone to apply liquid vermicast extract products.

We’ll talk about how biological products can be applied at field scale and how some of the same concepts may translate to producers who already have liquid fertilizer application systems and are interested in experimenting with biological amendments.

Technology as another tool in the toolbox
You don’t need to own a drone to benefit from the conversation.

We’ll discuss where custom drone applications might make sense, where conventional equipment remains the better option, and how emerging application technologies could give producers more flexibility when designing cropping and grazing systems.

This evening is for you if…

You’re interested in cover crops, intercropping or relay cropping. You want to see how agricultural drones are actually being used in the Peace Region. You’re looking for ways to introduce additional species into established crops. You’re curious about biological products and field-scale application. Or you simply want to see some new technology in action and talk about where it might fit on your operation.

No previous experience with drones, intercropping or biological products is needed.

Come see it in the field

The August Grazing Series is about getting out on farms, looking at what producers are actually trying and having practical conversations about what might work — and what might not — on other operations.

We’ll walk the field, see the drone up close, hear from the producer and Kris about their experience, and leave plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Bring your questions and your own ideas about where this technology could fit.

Tuesday, August 11
7:00–9:00 PM
Moat Farms
Arras, BC

FREE – Preregistration Required
Call 250-263-8802 or e-mail coordinator@peaceforage.bc.ca to register.