(10/27/26) CROWLEY, La. — Under the tapestry of a picturesque Acadia Parish evening sky, the LSU AgCenter held its 2026 Southwest Louisiana Drone Conference, welcoming producers from across the state to learn about the latest technological advances to assist them in many of their farming needs.

Taking place at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station South Farm on Oct. 20, the conference covered topics as varied as imagery and monitoring plant health, pest management, insecticide application using spray drones, license requirements, Federal Aviation Administration regulations and AgCenter training opportunities. Southwest Region coordinator Jeremy Hebert said that after a successful conference launch last year, he was eager to showcase the technological advances that have occurred in such a short period of time.

“Drone use is such a rapidly moving industry, our program has already changed from last year just because of the pace that it’s moving,” he said. “It’s a struggle for some people to keep up to date with the most current rules and regulations and the current practices being used, so our goal is to make sure everybody’s aware of the uses that ag drones can actually provide within their operations.”

After a brief introduction, attendees were directed outside as the sun was setting to witness the flight of two types of drones under the navigation of AgCenter precision agriculture experts Randy Price and Tri Setiyono.

The first was a spray drone, which can be used for a variety of applications, including pesticide distribution, nutrient delivery, seeding and spraying ripener on crops such as sugarcane. Focusing on one of two spray drones onsite, Price explained that, as with any expensive piece of equipment, it pays for owners to know both the device’s strengths and limitations before making an investment.

“Between June and August when it’s super-hot here, this drone would tend to overheat on us. It would never work between 2 and 4 p.m.,” he said. “Other than that, it flew great. I have no problem taking it almost half a mile away and being comfortable with it.”

Setiyono showcased a remote-sensing drone, which he explained is used for mapping missions where it systematically takes photos. The individual photos are then loaded into software to produce a map, which can show the health of crops. He continued to explain particulars as his student operated the drone.

“Similar to a crop duster, it will go back and forth, covering the entire area,” he said. “It will take photos every few seconds or so, and that will allow us to have imagery that we can develop the maps out of.”

Following the demonstrations, as darkness encroached, the crowd gathered back inside for additional presentations from AgCenter researchers. Extension agent Bradley Pousson, who focuses on cattle and forage for Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes, helped promote the conference. The 15-year AgCenter veteran said that much has changed technology-wise since he started, but all of it is in the service of Louisiana farmers.

“It’s ever evolving. Every year there’s something new that comes out, getting bigger or more efficient,” he said. “So, it’s our job to educate people, so they know more about the do’s and don’ts of what they should be doing. We hope more producers, landowners and farmers will want to navigate into using the technology.”

LSU AgCenter precision agriculture expert Tri Setiyono looks on as his colleague Randy Price pilots a spray drone as part of a demonstration at the 2026 Southwest Louisiana Drone Conference held at H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station South Farm on Oct. 20. Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter

In the background, LSU AgCenter precision agriculture expert Tri Setiyono speaks to attendees of the 2026 Southwest Louisiana Drone Conference held at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station South Farm, while in the foreground, an orange remote-sensing drone comes in for landing. Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter

LSU AgCenter precision agriculture expert Randy Price discusses the uses of spray drones and types available in the ever-expanding field at the 2026 Southwest Louisiana Drone Conference, which was held at H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station South Farm on Oct. 20. Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter