Hi everyone,

Welcome to the June edition of the UAS Agriculture newsletter.

I'm Mike Davis, PhD, and for the past several years, I've worked at the intersection of unmanned aircraft systems, agriculture, restoration, and natural resource management. Through research, field projects, training, and consulting, I've seen firsthand how rapidly drone technology is evolving—and how important it is to separate what's possible from what's practical.

This newsletter is my way of sharing lessons learned from the field, insights from ongoing projects, and real-world applications that can help organizations make better use of UAS technology.

Whether you're just getting started with drones or looking to expand your capabilities, I hope you'll find something useful in each issue.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to sharing more with you in the months ahead.

Mike Davis, PhD

UAS Agriculture

LiDAR vs. Photogrammetry: Which One Do You Need?

The LiDAR versus photogrammetry debate often misses the most important question: What are you trying to measure?

Photogrammetry is an excellent tool for visual mapping, orthomosaics, and visible-surface measurements. LiDAR becomes the stronger option when you need bare-earth terrain, drainage analysis, floodplain mapping, cross-sections, or ground conditions beneath vegetation.

In many restoration, agriculture, and natural resource projects, the best solution isn't choosing one technology over the other—it's understanding what surface model and deliverables the project requires.

I've put together a product-neutral field guide that explains the strengths, limitations, and practical applications of both technologies, along with guidance on DEMs, DTMs, DSMs, validation workflows, and restoration mapping best practices.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Download the full LiDAR vs. Photogrammetry for Restoration Mapping guide and discover how to select the right tool for your next project.

Fall UAS Mapping Training Course

This September, I'll be offering a comprehensive UAS Mapping Training Course designed for individuals and organizations looking to move beyond basic drone operations and develop real-world mapping and data collection capabilities.

The course includes 40–50 hours of instruction delivered over 10 weeks, with two three-hour sessions each week. Participants can choose between an in-person format or a hybrid option that combines online instruction with required hands-on field sessions.

We break the training into three key phases:

• Flight Operations – How to safely and effectively operate larger drone platforms and capture quality data
• Mapping & Data Capture – Including multispectral imaging and how to collect accurate, usable datasets
• Processing & Deliverables – Turning collected data into outputs that support real-world decision-making

CAN YOU JOIN US?

Click the button below to contact me directly.

This month, I've been working with clients on projects that demonstrate how drones and AI can help solve real-world land management challenges.

One project involves mapping invasive weed species across rangeland. Using high-resolution drone imagery, we're building AI models that can identify and distinguish specific invasive plants from surrounding vegetation. The goal is to help landowners and land managers locate problem areas faster, more accurately, and at a fraction of the cost of traditional field surveys.

Another project focuses on a proposed solar development site where Bitterbrush—a critical food source for mule deer—is present. By combining drone imagery with AI analysis, we're mapping Bitterbrush distribution across the property so developers can avoid sensitive areas when possible or plan appropriate mitigation efforts when impacts cannot be avoided.

I'm also continuing restoration monitoring work on a remote stream project aimed at improving fish habitat and migration. Twice each month, I fly the same mission profile over the site to document changes and measure restoration progress over time. Consistent data collection allows us to compare conditions from one survey to the next and determine whether restoration efforts are achieving their intended results.

These projects highlight how drones, AI, and repeatable data collection are helping organizations make better decisions while reducing the time, cost, and challenges associated with traditional fieldwork.

Reach out to discuss your project and see how UAS technology can help you work more efficiently and help gather data.

Every month, I'm reminded that the most valuable part of this work isn't the technology itself, it's the impact the data can have on land management, agriculture, restoration, and conservation efforts.

Thank you for following along. If you have questions, project ideas, or topics you'd like me to explore in a future newsletter, don't hesitate to reach out.

Mike Davis, PhD

UAS Agriculture