Modernizing Regenerative Agriculture: Drone-Sown Cover Crops in Sweden

This article examines how drones are revolutionizing cover crop sowing at Snåttsta Farm in Sweden, showcasing their role in enhancing soil health, crop rotation efficiency, and sustainable agriculture. It highlights farmer Emil Jansson's experiences and NordLuft’s innovations, exploring this technology's benefits, challenges, and global potential.

The Potential of Cover Crops at Snåttsta Farm in Vallentuna

The team at Gårdskapital —a Swedish agri-lender and partner to eAgronom on the Swedish market—visited a farm north of Stockholm to explore new techniques being trialed for sowing cover crops. Cover crops can significantly benefit soil health and productivity through their deep root systems, which break up compacted soil layers and increase soil organic matter.

Emil Jansson, 35, manages a 300-hectare family-owned farm operation near the town of Vallentuna in Sweden. He has been growing crops and managing cattle since childhood. He started growing cover crops such as oil radish and also includes winter wheat, winter barley, peas, and rye in his mixes.

Sowing Cover Crops with Drones

In 2024, Emil tested drone seeding on 20 hectares of oil radish, with positive results. ”Oil radish fits well into our crop rotation since we stopped growing rapeseed earlier, and it's easy to sow with a drone due to its reasonable seed rate”. 

By sowing before harvesting, the crop could take advantage of the remaining moisture, leading to good establishment. "The drone was efficient, but wind can affect the spread pattern, so we’ll adjust flight altitude moving forward to increase precision. Overall, the drone technology has proven to be both time-saving and practical," Emil explains.

NordLuft, the company behind the drone used on Emil’s farm, is innovating in agricultural technology. Their system allows multiple drones to work simultaneously, ensuring efficiency even in challenging conditions. The drones’ payload capacity, currently at 12 kg per drone, is being enhanced, with newer models expected to carry up to 50 kg.

Advantages and Challenges of Drone-Sown Cover Crops

Drone technology offers the following advantages:

• Time Efficiency: Drones can be very fast on their duties.

• Precision: GPS-guided drones ensure accurate seed placement.

• Environmental Benefits: Reduced soil compaction and machinery use.

Real-world example: Emil found that GPS-guided placement led to uniform crop establishment, reducing the need for overseeding. However, challenges remain:

• Weather Sensitivity: Wind affects seed distribution, requiring multiple adjustments.

• Payload Limitations: Actual drone carrying capacity is low

• Cost: Initial investment in drone technology can be high.

• Regulations: Permits and operator training requirements increase complexity.

What We Learned from the Trials

Emil observed that while drone sowing saved time, fine-tune adjustments were necessary for consistent results. For example, he adjusted flight altitudes to counter wind effects and explored the use of different seed types. "We’re also considering trying white clover to further increase organic matter," he shared, showcasing the adaptability of drones to various farming needs. 

Drone-sown oil radish showed a 20% higher establishment rate compared to traditionally sown fields, according to Emil’s observations.

Next Steps for Drone Technology – Insights from NordLuft

According to Elof Winroth, founder of NordLuft, the future of drones in agriculture looks promising. The company is refining GPS solutions and obstacle detection systems to enhance precision “Precision is crucial when sowing with drones to ensure efficient seed use and avoid waste”. 

With battery-powered drones achieving up to one-hour flight times, the potential for scaling this technology is significant. NordLuft’s efforts to commercialize larger payload systems and secure necessary permits are steps toward making drone technology more accessible. By 2025, NordLuft aims to introduce drones capable of carrying double the payload while improving battery life and operational range.

Gårdskapital´s view on advantages and disadvantages of cover crops used in agriculture

As a direct lender focused on agriculture Gårdskapital is naturally interested in working with farmers that find ways of balancing the long-term benefits of regenerative methods such as cover crops with the short-term risks related to for instance sowing and managing the cover crops. By keeping the wheels of photosynthesis turning for a greater part of the growing season organic matter levels can be improved over time and weather risks can be better managed. Achieving these benefits requires time, effort, and some investment, not least for sowing the cover crops.

By offering both up-front financing for implementing carbon farming methods as well as carbon credit payments through the partnership with eAgronom, Gårdskapital can help lower the hurdle for farmers to invest in improving their soil health and long-term yield capacity. While there is surely still room for improvements, sowing cover crops with drones seems to offer farmers a cost-effective way of getting cover crops established, especially as the automated sowing helps with time management during one of the busiest parts of the growing season, making it easier to sow when conditions are optimal. 

Conclusion

Drone technology is transforming how cover crops are sown, offering time-saving and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional methods. Emil Jansson’s experience at Snåttsta Farm highlights the potential of innovation combined with regenerative agriculture, balancing the benefits with ongoing improvements to overcome challenges. As technology evolves, drone-sown cover crops may become an integral part of sustainable farming worldwide.