Agriculture and thermal imaging
Because water cools vegetation, thermal imagery is useful for detecting leaks, clogs, and other irrigation issues. By revealing subtle changes in leaf surface temperature, thermal imagery also helps growers detect pre-symptomatic disease and pest pressures—and respond with more timely and more targeted interventions. Because the thermal cameras available for drones can efficiently deliver accurate temperature readings, which can be used to identify the presence of crop pests and diseases, can measure acidity, and can determine other environmental factors that can negatively affect production. Cattle ranchers also use thermal drones to keep a record of their livestock and locate any cows that have run off away from the herd.