Key Takeaways
- Landus has introduced SkyScout, a new aerial scouting platform using drones, fixed-wing aircraft, and AI-driven analytics to support crop health monitoring.
- The platform delivers high-resolution field imagery every 12 days and identifies early signs of stress, weeds, nutrient deficiencies, and disease.
- Thermal imaging and predictive analytics can detect issues up to two weeks before symptoms appear.
- Agronomy experts at Landus review scan results and provide field-specific recommendations, bridging the gap between data and action.
- SkyScout is now available to farmers in Iowa through Landus representatives.
Landus Introduces SkyScout: Aerial Platform for Real-Time Crop Insights
Combining Drone Technology with Agronomic Expertise
Landus, a farmer-owned cooperative, has launched SkyScout, a drone and fixed-wing aerial scouting solution designed to give growers frequent, accurate, and actionable crop insights from emergence through harvest. By combining artificial intelligence, thermal imaging, and predictive analytics, SkyScout provides alerts and analysis that help farmers respond faster to in-field conditions.
“SkyScout gives farmers and growers an unprecedented advantage when it comes to accuracy and planning,” said Sam Caton, Interim CEO of Landus and Executive Vice President of Sales. “The ability to make informed, real-time decisions ensures they get the best ROI.”
SkyScout: Precision Scouting Delivered Every 12 Days
Detecting Early Signs of Crop Stress
SkyScout captures high-resolution imagery of fields every 12 days, identifying issues such as:
- Low emergence
- Weed pressure
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Crop stress and disease
Its thermal imaging capabilities can detect disease outbreaks up to two weeks in advance, and the system delivers up to 95% precision in identifying potential threats.
Importantly, the platform doesn’t just stop at data. Every scan is reviewed by Landus agronomists, who provide customized recommendations to help growers take targeted actions in a timely manner.
“Our agronomists can translate the drone imagery into specific action items,” said John Finneseth, Director of Technical Experts at Landus. “That might mean targeted applications or addressing issues early before they spread.”
Supporting Smarter Farming Decisions
Practical Tools for Maximizing Profitability
The insights from SkyScout allow growers to:
- Optimize seed selection and tillage methods
- Adjust nitrogen and fertilizer applications
- Detect yield-limiting factors that may not be visible at ground level
According to Landus, SkyScout can reduce yield estimate variability by up to 50%, offering greater accuracy than conventional prediction methods.
“As stewards of the land, our farmer-owners deserve tools that match their expertise,” said Finneseth. “SkyScout supports sustainable practices, early detection of issues, and smarter resource use.”
