Pendleton’s ‘drone rodeo’ Aug. 18-19 will showcase ag technology

Pendleton’s ‘drone rodeo’ will showcase ag technology

The Pendleton Round-Up won’t be the only rodeo in the Eastern Oregon city this summer.

The Capital Press reported that a “drone rodeo” will be held Aug. 18-19 at the Pendleton Airport.

The event is aimed at farmers, and will include flight and data-downloading demonstrations of various types of unmanned vehicles. In other words, the drones won’t be doing any calf roping.

The Pendleton Airport is a testing site for commercial drones and has become a focus of the city’s economic development efforts.

With agriculture likely to become one of the first commercial adopters of the technology, airport director Steve Chrisman says drone and high-tech ag companies are attracted to the region’s open space and variety of crops.

Equipped with cameras or other sensors, drones could spot irrigation or pest problems, estimate yield and do other chores.

Admission to the event is free, but registration is required. For more information, go to www.pendletondrone.rodeo.

This story was originally published August 16, 2016 at 7:33 PM with the headline "Pendleton’s ‘drone rodeo’ Aug. 18-19 will showcase ag technology."