An online information hub on drones is now available from the University of Missouri. Farmers with eyes in the sky over their crops and pastures can see recent news -- and share ideas.

Users of drones, and those thinking of expanded data gathering, have help just a click away.

Bill Wiebold, MU Extension agronomist, built a website to share news and information on drones in agriculture. He wants to start idea exchanges.

The site posts recent news, but farmers with experience and questions can share.

The site offers four parts.

1. News: Articles from many sources on farm use of drones are also linked on the site. These will change as new ideas emerge. They come from everywhere.

2. Presentations and documents. Wiebold posts his articles and PowerPoint slides. These are copyrighted by the University of Missouri, but are free for use with credit to Wiebold and MU.

3. Experiences. Farmers continually find new uses. These can be shared with Bill by e-mail. He'll post them.

4. Resources. Government agencies, companies, and organizations are a click away. Application forms and regulations are here.

The potential is profound, Wiebold says. UAVs carry cameras, or other sensors.

Tasks include scouting corn fields, checking cows, monitoring irrigation, mapping nitrogen needs, estimating crop damage and even detecting soybean root loss from the air.

Users will add more ideas. UAV uses change daily, Wiebold notes.

The drone site is located on the Plant Science Webpage of the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at plantsci.missouri.edu/drones/.