The use of drones has grown rapidly in recent years, offering new ways to collect information about land quickly and efficiently. In rural and agricultural settings, drones can capture detailed imagery over large areas in a short time, helping professionals better understand terrain, field conditions, and changes over time.
For surveyors and land professionals, drones can reduce time spent on site, improve safety when working in difficult locations, and provide a clear visual record to support mapping and measurement tasks. The data collected can also support farming decisions, such as identifying drainage issues, monitoring crop performance, and planning land use.
This session will introduce how drones are being used in topographic and agricultural contexts, what is needed to get started, and how the information they produce can add value to existing survey and land management workflows. Real examples will be used to show the practical benefits, limitations, and considerations for organisations thinking about adopting drone technology.