NAAA Member Matt Crabbe Shares Aerial Application Best Practices on Farm Journal Podcast

In a recent episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, Total Acre founders Randy Dowdy and David Hula explore the evolution of precision fungicide application, featuring insights from NAAA operator member Matt Crabbe of Crabbe Aviation in Mechanicsville, VA. Flying for multiple decades in the aerial application field, Crabbe offers valuable strategies for improving coverage, product performance, and ROI. The episode’s insights also earned it a feature in The Scoop newsletter, the ag retailer publication with a national circulation of 27,000 ag retailers, crop consultants and farmers.

The episode also features Pennsylvania farmer Josiah Garber, who detected tar spot unusually early this season and responded with a proactive two-pass fungicide program. Crabbe expands on the aerial approach, stressing the importance of droplet size and flight altitude for effective fungicide placement. He also discussed ideal application rates for optimal canopy penetration, stressing precision as a key factor in maximizing efficacy. He emphasized the turbine airplane’s efficiency, noting it outperforms helicopters and drones in speed. When asked what to consider when selecting an aerial applicator, Crabbe recommended choosing someone affiliated with NAAA and their state or regional organization, as membership ensures professionalism, proper training and education.

Crabbe also highlights the rising importance of as-applied maps for application verification and yield correlation. With digital platforms, many aerial applicators can now provide real-time map access to clients, boosting transparency and decision-making.

Hula wrapped the discussion by urging growers to stay consistent with fungicide and insecticide applications, noting that regular, well-timed treatments are key to maximizing yields.

Catch the full conversation on YouTube at Breaking Barriers With R&D: Flying High and Digging Deep — Precision Ag from the Sky to the Soil with Crabbe’s segment running from 18:00-42:00. Breaking Barriers with R&D is produced by Farm Journal and is available on multiple platforms. Farm Journal’s network reaches more than 53 million viewers annually.