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MSU expert discusses impact of FCC import ban on next-generation ag drones

A university researcher says new Federal Communications Commission restrictions are likely to further delay agricultural drone advancements for farmers.

Michigan State University PhD student Leo Baldiga says there was a rush to get the latest foreign-made models approved at the end of 2025 before new imports of foreign products were banned.

“They will need to have at least 65 percent American-made components in order to be approved, and that’s through January 1st, 2027, when it will go up to 75 percent,” he explains.

He tells Brownfield emerging U.S. companies are trying to manufacture more American-made equipment, but China has continuously dominated the market since they were first available for agriculture in 2016.

“From feeding crawfish, to spreading rice seeds, spraying rice, spreading fertilizer all over the country,” he lists as examples. “I think that has a lot to do with the support that the Chinese government has given to their drone industry in terms of manufacturing and subsidies to farmers to buy them.”

He says the next few generations of precision agriculture advancements will likely not be available for U.S. farmers due to the restrictions. It’s also unknown whether replacement parts like batteries will be accessible in the future under the current regulations.

In the past five years, U.S. drone registrations for agricultural usage have increased to about 5,000, while China is flying more than 300,000.

Baldiga’s research analyzes how drones are reshaping agriculture across the globe.