Drone business brings new technology to area farms

CADOTT — John Goodman showed off his two massive drones at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, showing how new equipment can improve farming.

Goodman said the large drones weigh about 300 pounds when the 40-liter tanks are fully loaded.

“We can spray herbicide, fungicide and cover crops,” Goodman said. “We do inter-seeding into standing corn. You don’t transmit disease, and you don’t trample crops. It’s a form of technology that really allows you to provide the serve at the right time. For farmers, it’s another way to timely take care of your yields.”

Goodman, of Chippewa Falls, co-owns Chippewa Valley Drones with his sons. Goodman also is Fall Creek Middle School principal, and his wife, Donna Goodman, is Chippewa Falls High School principal. He said they just launched Chippewa Valley Drones three months ago, but they have already sprayed 3,800 acres and are seeing their business grow.

Goodman explained that the drones fly just 10 to 15 feet above the ground, all set by GPS with a handheld controller.

“You have to run the joystick, but you map all your fields in here,” Goodman said as he showed off the handheld device.

The drone, called an Agras T-50, costs about $40,000.

“These are licensed as an airplane,” he said. “One of these machines can do 250 acres in a day. At 300 pounds fully loaded, at 35 mph, you don’t want to make a mistake.”

Goodman said he farms 130 acres of corn and saw the need for this type of technology, particularly in a spring like this year where fields were wet and it was hard to get equipment out there.

“We wanted a way to do our crops differently,” he said. “We’re not running anything over with these.”

Goodman was pleased with the number of people who showed up at his booth at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days and showed interest in his drones.

“It’s an untapped area,” Goodman said. “It allows you to do things you can’t do traditionally.”

Goodman said it is a growing area in agriculture but it’s still fairly new.

“Some people think they are a spaceship,” he said. “We really catch a crowd when we pull up.”

Goodman said they charge either by the hour for a small field or by the acreage for larger farms.

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will wrap up today, and organizers are optimistic that 40,000 to 50,000 patrons will have attended the three-day farm show. It is one of the biggest events in Wisconsin agriculture, brings together farmers, agribusiness professionals and enthusiasts from throughout Wisconsin and the surrounding states. More than 500 exhibitors are on the grounds.

Field demonstrations are a big part of the event, with practical demonstrations of new techniques and equipment. Seminars from experts on crop management, livestock care, agronomy and technology are always a significant part of the show.

The 2024 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days are located at 24105 County Highway S in Cadott. Tickets are available in advance for $12 online or at the gate for $15. Children 12 and younger are free. To learn more, visit wifarmtechdays.org.