Customer Spotlight: Tod Hildebrand with Aero Growth - KS and IA Ag Equipment Dealer

We had a chance to sit down with Tod Hildebrand and discuss his new business, Aero Growth, his latest purchase of the EAVision J100 Drone, and his relationship with LDI and how it has grown over the last year. Derek Hearld, Store Manager and Equipment Sales at LDI Salina spoke with him to hear everything about Tod and his love for the J100 Spray Drone.

Tod’s Drone Experience

Tod grew up in farming as his folks run Hildebrand Farms, one of the only dairy operations left in north central Kansas. You may even see their products at your local market. Tod’s experience in the dairy industry and farming operations inspired his business in June of 2024 for commercial spray drones for pesticide and fungicide applications. Tod began going through the exemptions the year prior and begun to get his feet wet over the last nine months! Currently, Tod runs a DGI T40 Drone and will be adding the J100 to the business shortly. The DGI T40 doesn’t have the same level of terrain as the J100 of the T50 and that is why Tod is looking forward to this upgrade. Also, the “J100’s Lidar technology and AI software allow for this drone to avoid powerlines and branches, and the Terrian Follow is great. This drone learns the fields with its advanced software, so if you ever come back to that field it will continue to do that field more and more efficiently each time” explains Tod.

Tod further explains that the Terrian Follow feature on the J100 will use lidar and radar sensors to map out ahead of itself to know how to keep a consistent height above any terrain it encounters on its flight path. Derek continues to discuss the features of the J100 drone with Tod by asking about the talk of acres per hour with these drones. Tod explains that typically the DGI T40 along with other spray drones of its kind are around 30-40 acres per hour. However, he further explains that the J100 has a lot of variables, like shorter distances will not get as many acres covered, but if you are doing long stretches you can usually achieve 45-50 acres per hour. Furthermore, if you are on open flats, with not much terrain, and needing little obstacle avoidance, the J100 can reach around 60 acres per hour! Tod also explains that you can get closer to the 45ft/sec rather than the 32ft/sec. A few more of the features that Tod is excited about with the EAVision from Agri-Spray is the night vision so he can operate once the wind has died down in the evenings. Tod explains that he currently does more fungicides with corn and pasture spraying. He has not done any dry fertilizer, but it is an option with the J100 along with seeding cover crop which he has done a few times.

When asked how spray drones have changed the farming operation and industry in today’s world, he explains that drones have, “changed the game by basically adding a tool to the toolbox. They gave farmers another option and opened the window on spraying right after rain. Also, farmers don’t need to worry about compaction in the field, along with accuracy right up to the edge of the field and no more knocked down rows.” Since Tod began last June, his drone operation has been booming, “everyone wants to see the new toy and has a lot of interest in the application process.” In Tod’s experience with drones, it is important to invest your time into your operation and the learning process. “It is not just something to pick up and do, you need to learn the industry and do it the legal way. You’ll have to spend hours out in the hot sun learning your machines and getting comfortable with this new application system, the job must get done.”

Drone Licensing and Exemptions

Derek highlights that the exemptions and licensing is a new learning curve for all of us and LDI is excited to share their knowledge as time goes on. Tod states that licensing and exemptions can be an intimidating step for people beginning out with a spray drone. Tod’s advice and steps are, “Get your Part 107, which is your ability to fly a small, unmanned aircraft, the drone. Then you will get the 44087 Exemption and a 137 Exemption which is ‘you’re flying a drone over such-in-such a weight and then being able to spray a chemical from that drone.” Agri-Spray also provides a package from their legal side of operations to help you get your exemptions and what to fill out. Once those forms are filled out, Agri-Spray will send them off to the FAA to simplify the process. For any other resources needed on learning these drones there are a ton of Facebook groups that guys are a part of and make sure you keep your dealership connection. These guys are getting trained on drone units as we speak, and they are a vital resource to helping you learn more!

Tod’s View on Why to Choose LDI?

Tod explains that LDI sets itself apart from other dealers because they are down to earth and easy to talk to. “LDI is there for you if you need anything. They want to make sure you have what you need to do the job you’re supposed to do” says Tod. The LDI motto is “Doing What it Takes,” and Tod agrees that LDI has answered any questions asked and “LDI is just a phone call away if I need them.”

If you are interested in learning anything more about the EAVision J100 Spray Drones call your local LDI and we will get you connected with our equipment salespeople who are ready to discuss these units with you. Also, Tod is currently offering pasture spraying and fungicide operations through Aero Growth LLC. You can get ahold of him through his email aerogrowthllc@gmail.com or you can connect with him on Instagram at @Aerogrowthllc! Let us continue “Doing What It Takes!’ to keep you not only in the field but in the sky too!