COLBY, Kan. — It may have been a bit foggy, but that didn’t deter the demonstrations of small Unmanned Aerial Systems near Colby on Aug. 10. About 50 farm producers, agribusiness representatives and others interested in drone technology attended the outdoor display, followed by an indoor presentation by the demonstration companies and other experts.

The event was organized by the Kansas Ag Research and Technology Association (KARTA).

The fog may have hampered observations, but the four airborne systems could be heard as they criss-crossed nearby fields, sending live visuals back to equipment on the ground.

Apis Remote Sensing Systems of Hays, Kan., demonstrated an AgEagle fixed-wing system, manufactured in Neodesha, Kan., as well as a four-prop helicopter-type drone. Chris Pope of Crop Quest in Dodge City and Thomas Harris of Agribotix in Boulder, Colo., also demonstrated four-prop drones.

The exhibitors noted the fast advancements in the aerial systems, despite lack of clear regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration. The UAVs are being used as part of commercial agronomy packages.