A standout drone found at this year’s Farm Progress Show was Pyka’s Pelican 2, a fully autonomous 80-gallon aircraft requiring zero pilot intervention. This $550,000 system represents the industry’s push toward complete automation, targeting large-scale operations exceeding 5,000 acres with 200-acre-per-hour coverage rates.
Traditional spray drones have also evolved, with models like the EAVision J150 achieving complete tank applications on single battery charges — a major efficiency breakthrough. The Revolution Independence 19 addresses supply chain concerns by being manufactured in the U.S. with minimal adversarial country components, while the Raptor Dynamic HG 580 incorporates advanced radar systems for superior obstacle avoidance.
Support infrastructure has likewise matured, with PhiBer’s Dash Carrier servicing four drones simultaneously and LaunchPro’s climate-controlled operator stations addressing comfort and safety concerns. Lake State Manufacturing’s customizable trailer mounts eliminate expensive equipment purchases by adapting to existing trailers.