Drone enthusiasts can try out the latest technology and get to grips with new industry developments at this years Cereals event, as they once again host the Drone Zone.

This year the area is set to be bigger and better than ever, with an on-site flying cage for short flights and demonstrations, and a nearby arable field for longer flights, complete with a large screen to display data being collated and how it can be used.

Visitors will be able to see different drones flying, get advice on cameras and software, learn about flying legislation and see how the data collected can yield real practical benefits on farm.

Drone AH will be debuting its latest weather-proof drone system and software this year, which allows farmers to cover a greater area than ever before.

Natalie Reed, event marketing manager, said: "Farmers can use drone technology and data to improve the precision and efficiency of their businesses.

"Arable producers are increasingly turning to drones as a more efficient way of viewing large crop areas to identify weeds and crop stress levels, estimate yields, and potentially even apply sprays.

“Drones are a relatively cheap and quick way to assess the health of crops, tying into precision mapping and agronomic advice.

“The latest generation can even apply precision sprays and other inputs, but come with additional safety concerns so it’s essential to be well-informed.”

Hugh Wrangham, managing director of Drone AG, said: "While the data collected by drones is extremely useful in activities such as assessing plant health and identifying weed growth, we have experienced issues with turning the raw data into useable on-farm information.

"Using a new sophisticated software system, AeroView, and our Storm Drone system farmers can map up to 300ha per day, with the data processed and ready to be analysed within 24 hours."

Chris Eglington, director or Crop Angel, said: "Spraying drones are particularly useful in areas where a conventional or knapsack sprayer is difficult or impossible.

“This mainly includes inaccessible areas such as dense vegetation or where ground conditions make conventional sprayers unsuitable or would lead to major structural damage of the soil.

"From the air, it’s possible to find out an awful lot more about your fields and react in a targeted, cost-effective manner.”

Jonathon Gill, mechatronics teaching assistant at Harper Adams University, said: "We have been approached by farmers requesting an affordable solution to inaccessible areas on their land.

“They see spray drones as the answer. Currently, legislation does not allow the application of chemicals by a drone, however we are working with organisations to dissolve these barriers, with safety in mind at all times.”