UAV-IQ, short for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Intelligence, is a veteran-owned and operated business that capitalizes on the expertise of its founder, Andreas Neuman, a U.S. Air Force veteran, to deliver innovative drone solutions tailored to the agricultural industry. Drawing on his military experience, where he integrated new technologies to develop practical solutions, Neuman has positioned UAV-IQ as a leading force in the emerging market for drone-applied biological control.

“In founding UAV-IQ, our mission has always been to revolutionize the agriculture industry by providing drone-based solutions for biological pest control,” says Neuman. “One of the significant challenges we’ve identified is the slow and tedious process of manually releasing beneficial insects and mites, which often requires large teams walking through fields, shaking canisters to ensure uniform application. By leveraging our drone technology, we aim to make this process more efficient, outperforming human labour and allowing those teams to focus on other critical tasks.”

UAV-IQ’s flagship service, BioDrop, enables commercial-scale biocontrol, a key component in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. This service not only helps growers protect their bottom line by reducing reliance on chemical pesticides but also contributes to broader sustainability efforts, safeguarding consumers, workers and the environment.

At the beginning of 2024, UAV-IQ was awarded a 2023 IPM Achievement Award by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation for its BioDrop service as well as its efforts to further the research of, evangelize for. and educate about biological pest control and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) more broadly.

New AG International reached out to Andreas Neuman to learn more.

Q. How long has your company been involved in biocontrol via drone applications?

A. UAV-IQ has been at the forefront of drone-applied biocontrol since 2016. We initially conducted field trials to validate the effectiveness of this approach and launched our commercial services in 2017 in a partnership with Koppert to serve their strawberry grower customers. We continue to work closely with Koppert, as well as with the customers of several other insectaries and pest control advisors.

To provide a little additional background, our journey with drone technology for precision agriculture actually began even earlier. In 2014, before the current drone regulations were established, we started flying drones under special authorization from the FAA to collect multispectral imagery. During this time, we developed software designed to process, analyze, and use imagery to detect and manage agricultural issues as early as possible. Our transition to biocontrol was driven by a desire to not only detect problems but also to provide actionable solutions, directly addressing the challenges that growers face in pest management.

Q. What type of biocontrol do you offer?

A. We specialize in the aerial release of beneficial insects and mites across various life stages, including eggs, larvae, adults and mummies. We work with multiple species of predators and parasitoids tailored to address specific pest management needs, and for some field trials we have released sterile insects as well.

There also are a couple of other services we are currently exploring and may add to our lineup next year.

Q. How does the technology work? I.e., how do you load beneficials, or other biocontrol methods?

A. The technology relies on two primary methods. Beneficials can either come premixed with an organic-approved carrier material at a known concentration, or we perform field blends by mixing bulk supplies of beneficials with a carrier material to achieve precise ratios. The blend is then loaded into a hopper, which is attached to a drone. The hopper is equipped with a release module at the bottom, calibrated to release a specific amount of material per second. A pilot flies the drone along pre-programmed routes at optimal heights above the crop, ensuring a wide swath and uniform coverage. The pilot also has the capability to control the release mechanism remotely, allowing for precise control over the number of beneficial insects applied per acre. This combination of automated flight, calibrated equipment, and skilled oversight ensures that the beneficials are distributed evenly and effectively, optimizing their impact on the target pest populations.

Q. How large of a load can your drones handle?

A. The load capacity varies slightly depending on the carrier material, but typically, our drones can handle around 15 litres. Since we, or our suppliers, can precisely control the concentration of beneficials within each litre of carrier, this capacity allows us to treat approximately 15 acres per flight at standard application rates. This efficiency ensures that large areas can be covered quickly and effectively, optimizing the use of biocontrol agents.

Q. What crops do you mainly focus on? Are you considering other crops? If so, which ones?

A. UAV-IQ has experience in a variety of crops, including tree nuts, stone fruit, various berries, citrus, avocado, cannabis and ornamentals. However, our most frequent applications are in strawberries, which have a long history of biocontrol use in California, and vineyards, where grape growers are increasingly shifting away from pesticide use. We are always open to expanding into new crops and are excited about opportunities in citrus.

Sometimes growers come to us with an established biocontrol protocol and seek our services to apply it using our BioDrop technology. In other cases, they consult us for advice on pest management, and we bring in resources to evaluate the best biocontrol options. For crops where protocols are not well-established, we might propose field trials and collaborate on research proposals for grant funding.

Q. We know biocontrol methods work. Why would a farmer consider using drone application over hand or other machinery applications?

A. Drones offer significant advantages in both efficiency and quality of application. A drone can cover an acre in just 45-60 seconds, whereas manual application can take 30-60 minutes, enabling timely applications across large areas. Additionally, labour shortages can make manual application challenging, and drones provide a reliable alternative when workers aren’t available. Specialized drone payloads, like our BioDrop system, ensure precise calibration of application rates and achieve wide swath coverage, resulting in a more uniform distribution of beneficials.

Furthermore, drones excel in conditions where ground-based equipment struggles. For instance, after heavy rains, fields may be inaccessible to traditional machinery, and even workers on foot can’t walk through several inches of water or mud. Drones can easily fly over flooded fields or tall trees, reaching areas that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to treat effectively. This versatility makes drone applications particularly valuable for crops grown in challenging environments, such as orchards or vineyards.

Q. Why is drone application of biocontrol important in today’s fight against agriculture pests?

A. The effectiveness of biocontrol in agriculture is well-documented, but its broader adoption has been hindered by application challenges. Industry reports frequently cite these challenges as one of the top reasons biocontrol isn’t more widely implemented. Applying beneficial insects and mites manually requires significant labour hours, which aren’t always available. Even when labour is accessible, ensuring a uniform and effective distribution by hand is difficult, often leading to inconsistent results.

Drone technology addresses these challenges directly. By automating the application process, drones can release beneficials quickly, uniformly, and at a cost that competes with manual labour. This not only frees up valuable labour hours for other essential tasks in the field but also improves the overall effectiveness of biocontrol strategies. As the agricultural industry increasingly shifts toward sustainable practices, the ability of drones to enhance the efficiency and reliability of biocontrol applications makes them an essential tool in combating agricultural pests today.

Q. What do you see in the future from drone applications of biocontrol?

A. I see the future moving towards more crops and pests being treated with biocontrol. There are grants tailored towards researching new biocontrol protocols, and we pursue these with research partners and forward leaning growers. Drone technology, regulations and supply chain modifications are all moving in a direction which further enables growth in this area.

Q. What steps are you taking to further your work in biocontrol application by drone?

A. We’re dedicated to advancing drone-based biocontrol through several key initiatives. A major focus is on the continuous refinement of our specialized payload systems, which are designed to release beneficial insects and mites from drones with high precision and efficiency. We also develop new operational procedures and techniques to address diverse terrain, operational conditions and crop types. In order to help develop new biocontrol protocols, we conduct extensive field trials, usually supported by grant funding, with multidisciplinary teams that include leading academic researchers. These experts independently analyze and report on the data and findings, ensuring that our methods are both scientifically validated and practically effective. Additionally, we work closely with insectaries to develop biocontrol products and packaging optimized for drone release, making them easier to work with for pilots and ensuring that the beneficials are in the optimal condition to go out and hunt as soon as they’re released. Beyond technology development, we actively engage in outreach and education efforts to raise awareness about the advantages of drone-based biocontrol. By fostering partnerships with researchers, growers and policymakers, we aim to lead the way in promoting this innovative and sustainable approach to pest management.

First published in New AG International Sep/Oct 2024