There are many advantages when it comes to the process of aerial application. Whether you are working as an agricultural professional and are in charge of protecting your crop yields, or whether you are a forestry professional providing sustainable initiatives for the protection of Canadian forests, there are so many benefits of aerial application!
There is no soil compaction!
Driving ground equipment through fields can cause severe damage to the crops Sometimes, it can cause upwards of 5% of damage to your crops. When ground equipment is dragged across a field, the wheels compact the soil, reducing the pore space and restricting the flow of water and oxygen into the root zone of the crops. This compacted soil can be especially bad on wet soil, creating “brick-like” soil. That damage can significantly reduce crop yields, and make crops unsustainable year after year.
When pesticides are applied above the crop canopy, it helps create and provide a uniform spray pattern. Aerial distribution of pesticides, as aerial applicators are able to cover larger ground areas which ultimately provides a higher yield of healthy crops, and increases the sustainability and protection of the crops.
The quicker growers can control a pest problem, the greater the yield benefits can be!
Aerial application can start earlier within the season versus ground application, as aerial application doesn’t require waiting for the soil to dry, and as we all know with Canadian weather, there may only be a small window for application.
Many pesticides and other crop outputs are only effective at specific stages of pest development and crop development. The ability to apply at the optimal times can help with the health and protection of the crops, and can be done quite quickly, often within a few hours, instead of an entire day.
This makes aerial applicator aircraft some of the most dynamic, and elite aircraft in the world.
Aerial application is one of the most dynamic professions that helps to ensure the protection and sustainability of Canada’s food supply chain. Learn more about the work aerial applicators provide, and how you can make the difference in this exciting industry!