Smiling :-) Farmers may or may not use advanced technology (GPS tractors, etc....).
Do you just explain what you do in a few words, give a biz card and let them think about it ?
Or do you have your drone in hand and make a free first session and hand it to them ?
Or do you, like airinov, come with numbers and potential savings ?
On the other side, could any farmer here explain how they decided to make the move toward NDVI ?
Thank you.
Replies
If you have a local county extension agent like Texas does for each county start with them.
They hold monthly meetings with farmers and ranchers. When I speak at those meetings with my fleet on display I usually get overwhelmed with great response and regularly go an hour over my scheduled time :)
Now I can't go to Wal-Mart or to dinner without a farmer/rancher stopping to ask questions or "What If's"
I would do events like crop university , Ohio farm and science show . A live demo helps . Being a partner with a seed company that has a good rep . Too many snake oil vendors out their . Their is interest out their . Keep the starting cost down . Then add the multi spectrum and hyper spectrum later. Show them how much time and energy can be saved . You don't want farmer thinking this is just another fad or expensive toy . Get your name and face known . county fair booths .
Thank you for those helpful answers
Philippe
Don't go for the individual but the group.
Most cropping farmers are participants in knowledge sharing agreements with either local agronomy companies or growers groups and industry committees. This are linked in most countries to govt funded research groups who are as a whole technology savy. Get involved with these people and the rest will follow.
Hi,
We just had a presentation last week, about the use of remote sensing data in agriculture, focusing on UAVs. The whole event was for farmers (small and medium scale). When we got on the podium we brought our Bormatec Maja as a decor. You can be sure we had all the attention.
We described the use of this data, how cheap it will be, we also discussed the current state of law making here in Mid-Europe.
I was absolutely sceptic about it, but it turned out they are very interested in the technology, not just the young ones but the elder generation also.
I would say a good presentation or leaflet (with potential uses and where it can save money) and a piece of drone will easily make it. We will have an other one on the topic on how to integrate it to the precision ag workflow and how they can start pricision ag with the old machines + drones in the heart of Europe and south east to it.
Bests
Vince
Hi, I think the approach 'closing the loop' could be the best one for suggesting this type of services.
The maps, even if well done, will not be enough for the farmer, you must give them the way to apply it and to perceive the correct value.
Beside this, a correct ROI based on 3-4 years plan should give the message that they will have also cost savings.
run a demonstration on their neighbours property......