Duane Davis and Herb Dowse are co-founders of AnswerAg. Davis works out of Gowrie, while Dowse is based in St. Ansgar, each of them reaching out to farmers through their unique specialties and in an array of capacities.

Davis, a U.S. Air Force veteran, described himself as the hands-on, “technical” one, while Dowse is the scientist, an agronomist. Together the two men work to serve the needs of their customers in today’s agricultural landscape.

Just a few of the other services offered by AnswerAg include video security and monitoring, WiFi network expansion, data management, mapping and much more.

Drones are a popular talking point that many farmers want to learn more about. Davis has the experience to lead them on that path.

“I was in the military, Air Force, back in the Vietnam days, flying as a crew chief on fighter aircraft, so aeronautics has always been an interest of mine,” Davis said. “I’ve been around electronics most of my life. Over the years, I got into robotics and that type of thing.”

He built his first drone some 14 years ago and has been selling manufactured drones for 12 years. He offers a number of models and sizes of Sky Drones, while AnswerAg provides the expertise to safely and legally operate drones in the skies above precious Iowa farmland.

Davis is also the owner of the retail division, Sky Drones, selling manufactured drones.

“We sell equipment, drones, software, all of the tools that you need,” Davis said. “AnswerAg provides the service.”

No farmer would think about flying his own spray plane, or driving a semi without proper licensing. AnswerAg fills a need so that farmers can utilize drone technology without becoming a licensed pilot themselves.

“What we’re finding is that a lot of farmers don’t want to go through the licensing and all of the insurance, and everything that’s really necessary to operate these legally. We provide the contract spraying and crop scouting.”

AnswerAg maintains its independence from seed and chemical companies, thus allowing the customer to choose his own inputs.

“AnswerAg doesn’t sell any chemicals, any seed, or anything,” Davis said. “We don’t want to get into that part of the business. That way we can approach the farmer, talk to them, and tell them, ‘We don’t have any skin in the game as far as what chemicals you use, or what seed corn you use. That’s all your choice. We’re just providing you with the service of applying whatever it is that you want.'”

To Davis, that unbiased attitude towards input choices means they can put the needs of the farmer first.

“We care about the farmer,” he said. “It’s their choice of what they want to apply.”

Application of fungicides and cover crops are two of the fastest growing uses for drone technology. Foliants and putting nutrients back into the ground are also popular.

FAA approval is required for spraying of chemicals, and exemptions must be sought to fly something over 55 pounds. In short, it’s a lot of paperwork and a lot of changing requirements to keep track of as drone technology gains traction in agriculture.

Farmers are accustomed to regulations, but drones are still relatively new to agriculture and new regulations may have trouble keeping up as their use grows.

Safety is a big concern to Davis as drone technology becomes more popular among farmers. Few members of the general public may realize that the FAA does require a Part 107 pilot’s license to legally operate even a small drone used for crop scouting and mapping.

Just as a person doesn’t need a license to buy a car, a pilot’s license isn’t necessary to purchase a drone, but that doesn’t mean that a drone can be legally operated without proper credentials. Aerial and liability insurance are also important requirements to consider.

“Younger farmers, in their 30s and 40s, are adapting to this technology quickly, but I don’t know how many of them are being licensed,” Davis said. “This is the advantage we have. We have the training, the licensing, and we know the proper procedures. We want people to be informed as to their responsibilities and their liabilities.”

To Davis, it’s a matter of being responsible to neighbors, as well as the environment. His military experience is evident when he talks about grasping new technology quickly, but always with the training and expertise to do so in a responsible format.

“What if you end up killing your neighbor’s corn, or spraying waterways, or spraying over a drainage ditch?” he asked. “We need an informed, intelligent audience out there that knows how to use the technology safely, legally, and in an environmentally sound way.”