Drones offer several advantages when it comes to mustering. Firstly, they can cover a large area in a short amount of time, making the process of mustering more efficient. Drones can fly over areas that may be difficult to access on foot or by vehicle, such as steep terrain or dense vegetation, possibly saving time and labour costs.
Secondly, drones are very effective when livestock are being mustered. Drones are just another form of pressure that can be moved to move sheep or cattle and are surprisingly relatively quiet and unobtrusive, causing minimal stress to livestock.
Another advantage of using drones for mustering is that they can help farmers keep track of their livestock more easily. As drones are equipped with cameras that can capture images and video footage, graziers can monitor their livestock, particularly when calving or lambing. Again, potentially reducing stress by not needing to drive around to check, disturbing them.
Drones can also be used to monitor paddock and feed conditions. Graziers can use drones to inspect quickly and make more informed decisions about how best to manage their property.
However, there are some challenges associated with using drones for mustering. The main consideration are the regulatory issues around the use of drones. In Australia, the use of drones is regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Anyone operating a drone must understand and comply with the regulations. There are specific regulations for people flying over their own land, however registration & accreditations may still be required.
A company to keep an eye on is SkyKelpie. Developed by Luke Chaplain who hails from Cloncurry, SkyKelpie is a world leader in drone mustering solutions and is working to support graziers unlock the potential that drones can offer.
In conclusion, the use of drones for mustering is an exciting development in Australian agriculture. Drones offer several advantages over traditional mustering methods, including increased efficiency, reduced stress on livestock, and improved land management. While there are regulatory and cost challenges to consider, the benefits of using drones for mustering are significant, and it is likely that we will see more Australian properties adopting this technology in the future.
]]>Well known DJI leaker @DealsDrone has been sharing sketches and photos for a while now and as per usual some retailers have ‘accidentally’ published the product on their websites. What we have learnt from these leaks is that it will appear to be called the DJI Mini 3 Pro and will be available in several bundles as we are used to for these consumer drones.
So what are some of the upcoming inclusions on the slated DJI Mini 3 Pro?
All in all it looks like a very interesting drone, but will it be any good for agricultural use? As always, it depends on how you want to use it, however for just regular flying around and as long as you aren’t expecting any fancy imagery or mapping, then the inclusion of vision sensors should be a welcome addition. I’ve moved cattle with a DJI Mini 2 in a clear paddock, but the major concern for many is operating around trees. This will certainly ease some of those concerns.
As always, we urge anyone flying a drone to have a good understanding of the standard operating procedures put out by CASA.
I’m looking forward to sharing the new drone here on the Fly the Farm Shop once it is released!
]]>How do I register a drone in Australia?
Visiting the CASA site or watching this video will explain everything in detail, but here are a few bits of information that will be helpful when the time comes to register your drone:
Once you go through the registration process, you simply download your certificate of registration via your myCASA account. That’s all there is to it!
Is there a registration fee?
If your drone weighs 500g or less, no registration fee applies, however, if your drone weighs more than 500g, you will be required to pay a $40 registration levy per drone.
Can I modify or deregister my drone after it’s been registered?
Absolutely! If a drone is lost, damaged, sold or modified, you will need to learn more about updating or deregistering the drone as required with each separate circumstance.
The easiest way to do so is by logging into your myCASA account, clicking through to the ‘Manage Registered Drones’ section, find and click on the drone listed that you need to modify or deregister and follow the prompts accordingly.
You can also reach out to CASA directly via the chat service on their website or by calling 131 757 if you need any additional assistance.
What are the penalties for flying an unregistered drone in Australia for agribusiness purposes?
As of January 2021, you can be fined up to $11,100 for flying a drone for a business or as part of your job without it being properly registered.
It’s definitely worth going through the simple registration process to make sure you avoid those hefty penalties.
If you’ve been thinking of purchasing a drone to increase productivity on your farm, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our drone expert Meg is always happy to steer you in the right direction!
Mobile: 0492 979 491
Email: meg@flythefarm.com.au
Happy farming!
]]>Do I need to get drone operator accreditation to use a drone on my farm?
If you currently operate a drone or drones on your property, here are the circumstances in which you may or may not need to gain RPA operator accreditation.
You must gain a remotely piloted aircraft operator accreditation to fly a drone on your property, for your business or as part of your job if:
You are not required to gain RPA operator accreditation if:
One of the benefits of acquiring drone operator accreditation is that it is a slightly less intensive process than gaining a remote pilot license (required for drones over 25kg but less than 150kg), so if you operate a smaller machine, you’ve got a simpler way to get qualified, which makes sense.
Other important points of note surrounding drone operator accreditation include:
How do I get drone operator accreditation?
In order to apply for and gain your RPA operator accreditation, you must:
You can find all the information you need via the CASA website.
How much does drone operator accreditation cost and how long is it valid for?
Currently, accreditation is free and can be completed online.
It is valid for three years.
So, if you want to operate a drone on your property for agricultural business purposes, it is important that you look into the accreditations that may apply to your circumstances.
If you’ve got your accreditation and are looking to purchase a drone, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our drone expert Meg is always happy to help!
Mobile: 0492 979 491
Email: meg@flythefarm.com.au
Happy farming!
]]>Who is DJI?
DJI is a leading innovator in drones and aerial imaging technology. They work closely as a business with CR Kennedy & Co, our leading drone importer here in Australia, to design, create and provide us with drones for many purposes, including drones that are specially made for farming purposes. The two drones they’ve recently introduced to the Australian market are the DJI Agras T10 and T30.
What are the new farming drone releases?
The DJI Agras T10 and T30 are next-generation aircraft that have been built specifically to assist farmers in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of their spraying operations. They are both quite capable of carrying out much the same work, albeit in a slightly smaller capacity for the T10.
How can the DJI Agras T10 and T30 help Australian farmers?
Here are the main points you need to know about these two newly released DJI farming drone models:
DJI Agras T10
All in all, the DJI Agras T10 is the perfect drone for smaller scale spraying operations.
DJI Agras T30
The DJI Agras T30 really is an all-rounder when it comes to spraying technologies. For large scale operations, this is definitely a drone you want to have at your disposal.
Both of these spray drones can be easily and remotely controlled and connect to other DJI ag tech innovations via Internet of Things (IoT) technology. This has been set up to help you map out an overview of your farm and use the critical data collected to improve operations, saving time and money in the process.
If you’d like to learn more or are interested in purchasing either of these newly released DJI models, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Mobile: 0492 979 491
Email: meg@flythefarm.com.au
Happy farming!
The recent rollout of the Digital Agriculture Investment Scheme is exciting news for farmers in Victoria. Regardless of whether you’ve managed to apply and be accepted for one of the grants available or not, the fact that the Victorian Government is now starting to help farmers access valuable technology for their farms is such a great step towards simplifying current processes and improving quality of practices throughout the agricultural sector.
What is the Digital Agriculture Investment Scheme?
The Digital Agriculture Investment Scheme is an initiative created by the Victorian Government with an aim to support farmers in accessing and learning how to utilise digital tools on their farms to help improve sustainability, competitiveness, long-term viability and productivity.
$10million has been committed to the Scheme with grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 on offer.
The various grants have been created to address digital barriers in the agriculture sector including:
How can drones help farmers?
Drones have been used for a variety of purposes across farms in Australia with new uses constantly in development. They have been proven to help increase efficiency and accuracy of farming data. Current uses for drones in farming include:
There are some serious arguments for putting your funding towards drone technology. So, if you’re thinking of applying for an agricultural technology grant, get in touch for a quote so you can add a drone to your application.
If you’re interested in speaking with our resident drone expert, Meg, please do reach out via mobile or email.
Mobile: 0492 979 491
Email: meg@flythefarm.com.au
You can also take a look at our extensive range of high-quality farming drones here.
Happy farming!
]]>I do have to say that drone spraying is one of my favourite topics and I enjoy working with our industry bodies to see these changes come through to secure the future of this industry. My background is in agriculture, we live on a dryland and irrigated corn and grain farm on the Darling Downs in Queensland. While we use majority ground and some manned aircraft here on this farm for chemical application, having this experience gives me an inside and end user experience with what is required and expected from those moving into the spray drone space.
When there is an off target chemical drift issue, currently the first photo that gets put up is one of a fixed wing aircraft, though rarely are they the ones at fault. Without strong regulations around the use of unmanned spray drones I can see that images of them will one day replace the fixed wing, although I’m sure AAAA’s would be happy with that!!
With all that being said, I do see a lot of potential for great things to happen with spray drones both here in Australia and overseas. There are many use cases for these machines, despite their smaller capacity compared to larger manned aircraft or ground based spraying systems.
Farmers in some areas are having their farmland slowly encroached upon by towns or cities, therefore manned aircraft operators are becoming hesitant to undertake work near these sensitive areas. Here, drones are seen as less of a risk and just as importantly, less conspicuous to sensitive neighbours. In areas traditionally serviced by ground based spray systems, drones allow product to be applied during periods of wet weather, when tractors cannot enter paddocks. Scott Fisher of Skytech Solutions has been flying spray drones commercially in these situations in Northern NSW for over 12 months and is also applying product to tree crops, where traditionally the canopy is difficult to access by ground based system. Scott also is working on other use cases to suit his area.
Spray drones can also be used to apply product at variable rates across a field or paddock, having created a zone map pulled from data out of a multispectral camera mounted on a drone (or other means). They can also be used to ‘fill in’ areas where a manned aircraft can’t access due to power lines or other infrastructure.
Spreading of granulated fertilisers or herbicides and even seed can be done very effectively by a drone, particularly in smaller lots. One company working on this following the devastating Australian bushfires of 2020 is Airseed Technologies, who are using a drone fitted with a customised spreading system that disperses seed encapsulated in a nutrient rich pod.
Spray drones aren’t out there to replace manned aircraft applications, I see them as a complimentary technology that can assist both operators and end users achieve their desired result. It will be some time before these ‘small’ spray drones can go out and spray a 1000 acre wheat crop in a timely and cost effective manner!
‘Till next month,
Meg Kummerow
Owner, Fly the Farm.
]]>This is not a difficult process, and with the risk of an $11,000 for not doing so is very much worth the time to get it done.
I successfully completed mine yesterday without issue. If you already have an RePL you aren't required to to the operator accreditation and you will already have an ARN.
A few tips, make sure the drone serial number you use is the one in the battery compartment. Secondly, information we have received says if you don't register, you may not have access to Public Liability insurance following the registration cut off date of 28th January 2021.
There is lots of information on the process on the CASA website. However I have provided some information below.
Here are the steps:
How to get operator accreditation
How to register your drone
As always, if you run into trouble give me a call. Otherwise contact CASA via their website.
Good luck and safe flying!
]]>(Source: Rotorcraft Asia-Pacific e-News December Report 2020. Please contact the Editor, Rob Rich to be placed on their email list: robsrich@bigpond.com)
(The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the trade association for the world’s airlines, representing some 290 airlines or 82% of total air traffic. We support many areas of aviation activity and help formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues.)
Visit the IATA document - Passengers travelling with Lithium batteries document here.
The rotorcraft industry is constantly responding to global disasters which result in rapid deployment of aerial resources at short notice. Operational and support staff heading to a humanitarian task rely heavily on battery-powered electronic devices such as drones and numerous communication systems involved with command-and-control centres.
Take loose batteries out of your check-in baggage
From 1 January 2021, no loose or spare batteries will be allowed in passengers checked-in baggage. The restrictions are due to changes to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations. The changes apply to all loose or spare batteries including batteries in their original retail packaging.
Loose or spare batteries in carry-on baggage Passengers may take up to 20 loose or spare batteries of any type (including AAA, AA, C cell, D cell and 9-Volt) in carry-on baggage, unless their airline has approved the carriage of more batteries. Loose or spare batteries in carry-on luggage must be protected by being in their original retail packaging, or an individual bag or protective pouch for each battery, or with tape placed over exposed terminals.
What happens if I have loose or spare batteries in my checked-in baggage? We x-ray bags going on planes to make sure there is nothing dangerous in them. If something comes up on the x-ray that needs checking, the bag will be opened, searched and any dangerous or prohibited item will be removed.
Why is this item restricted?
Batteries can overheat and catch fire. Tips for passengers travelling with batteries:
• Batteries that power any device – mobile phone, laptop, medical device - can go in checked-in baggage, but only if they are in the device, and the device is turned off.
• Spare dry-cells and nickel-metal hydride batteries will now be managed the same as all other types of spare batteries, e.g., lithium, that are already prohibited from checked-in baggage. That means no spare batteries, of any type, will be allowed in aerial checked-in baggage.
• Passengers who are not sure what they can take on the plane or pack in their
baggage, can with their regulator’s website or check with their airline.
• Check batteries for damage, corrosion and replace them, as necessary.
Fly safely and securely this summer and do not get caught out with loose batteries in your checked-in baggage.
]]>The field day was hosted by Scott Fisher & Cheyne Paul of Skytech Solutions based out of Lismore, NSW along with Meg Kummerow of Fly the Farm, who is based on the Darling Downs in Queensland. The event was also supported by Quentin Vistentin of CR Kennedy & Co out of Brisbane.
The day included talks on the DJI Agras T16 drone itself, along with other drones within the DJI Agriculture lineup. Scott Fisher from Skytech Solutions uses these drones commercially and was able to step through the entire process with attendees, allowing them to get a good understanding of the process.
Meg Kummerow of Fly the Farm ran through the regulatory requirements surrounding spray drones, including CASA licencing, state chemical application licencing requirements as well as the chemical label requirements which may prevent the use of some chemicals being applied via drone.
The day concluded with Quentin Visentin talking about other drones that may fit into the agricultural scene, including thermal cameras and inspection drones.
Participants were able to get a good look over the DJI Agras T16 drone, however due to the inclement weather were unfortunately not able to see it in action as was initially planned.
Further field days are planned in 2021, if you are interested in hosting one in your area please make contact.
For further information please contact:
Fly the Farm on 0492 979 491 / meg@flythefarm.com.au
]]>Licences now exist under Agriculture Victoria to authorise and regulate the use of spraying drones.
For more information, please visit the Licences for aerial spraying of agricultural chemicals page on the Agriculture Victoria website.
If you'd like to discuss how to get a spray drone working for you, please book a free 30 minute consultation here.
As always, if you need any assistance or have any questions, please give me a call on 0492 979 491.
]]>
Scott Fisher from Skytech Solutions will demonstrate various agriculture drones, including the DJI Agras T16, DJI Phantom 4 RTK and DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral along with the processes surrounding creating spray maps in DJI Terra.
Meg Kummerow from Fly the Farm will run through the regulations surrounding the use of spray drones.
Several drones will be on display at the field day, including the DJI Agras T16, DJI Agras MG-1P, DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral along with the DJI Phantom 4 RTK.
This field day will be a great opportunity to see these drones in action and to gain a greater understanding how they can be an asset to your business.
The address for the field day will be sent once you book your ticket.
Book now at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/dji-agras-t16-field-day-tickets-131135193895
]]>It doesn't matter where I go, drones always catch the attention of farmers! Back in 2016, right before I started Fly the Farm, I was on the committee of the Australian Summer Grains Conference. One of the industry organisations I work for brought out Chad Colby from Colby Ag Tech in the US to give one of the keynote talks at the conference about drone use in Agriculture. It was one of the most well attended sessions at the conference (well, apart from our closing keynote from Wayne Bennett) and the audience was captivated. Our stand was constantly busy with people coming past asking about the drone, how it worked, how far it flew, what kind of camera it had. I picked up all the information I could from Chad during those few short days. It was at that conference that I realised the need for someone with agricultural experience to help farmers out when they were looking at bringing a drone into their business.
I’ve attended numerous conferences and field days since then and not much has changed, bring a drone out and you’ll get attention. The bigger the drone, the more attention you will get!
Well, these days you can’t get a much bigger, commercially available drone than the DJI Agras T series spray drones. This has become one very popular drone over the last 6 months in Australia. I get numerous enquiries each week from people wanting to know how much it costs. But cost is only a small part of bringing a spray drone on to your farm or your business. There are a number of other considerations that you must take into account when looking at spray drones.
1.
The first thing you must consider are the requirements for piloting the drone.
To fly a drone such as the T16, which has a Minimum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of 42kg, you’ll need the following:
To ensure you are always getting the most up to date information on licencing visit https://www.casa.gov.au/drones
The licencing process can be very complicated, so it is recommended that you work with a reputable training organisation who can help guide you through the process. We work with UAS Pacific P/L who provide all of our training, and assist our clients through the process of obtaining their ReOC.
2.
The second thing you must consider are the regulations for the application of chemical products by drone. Each state and Territory have their own separate and often very different requirements when it comes to drone application of chemicals.
There will be certain certifications that you will require. All of this information is available online, however it is sometimes not so easy to find. This is where Tip 6 comes in.
3.
The third issue you must consider is whether or not the chemical/s you wish to apply, can actually be applied via drone as per their label requirements.
At this point in time, those wishing to apply chemicals via drone must follow the label as per aerial application requirements on the label. Go and have a read of the labels you wish to apply and ensure that it can be done.
4.
Insurance is the fourth consideration when looking at moving into drone spraying on a commercial basis. Make sure both you, your craft and your customers are covered in case of anything going wrong.
Are you covered in case of an accident? Is your drone covered in case it crashes and breaks or causes damage to others property. Are your customers covered (by YOUR insurance) in case your drone or application causes damage to their crop or property?
5.
The fifth issue to consider is your previous experience. What is your previous experience with applying chemicals? Have you agricultural experience to draw from? Do you understand the importance of correct chemical application. Do you know what off-target spray drift is? (That question is a favourite of mine!)
The reason I state this is because I have seen that the best operators are those who have previous agricultural experience, working on a farm, applying chemicals via ground rig or similar, even working with vet chems. I’m not saying that those without this experience will fail, simply that there is less of a learning curve if you’ve had exposure to the industry previously!
Understand the pitfalls of chemical applications, lots can go wrong and the consequences are huge.
6.
Finally, the sixth thing you must consider is working with a supplier who you can trust and who can ensure that you are getting the full picture. One of my main focuses over the last few years has been assisting my customers to get the right information, particularly when there is so much info out there, much of it conflicting!
I’m fortunate to be able to pull from my background in agriculture. Yep, I might not drive a tractor and it has been years since I’ve helped my Dad muster, but I maintain my contact with agriculture on a daily basis. I am based on a grain farm on the Darling Downs and I work in the grains industry alongside Fly the Farm. I’m on the Aerial Agriculture sub-committee of the Australian Certified UAV Operators, one of the peak industry bodies for the Australian drone industry. I have been able to provide agricultural insight into the sub-committee and their decisions, however it also allows me to keep up to date with what is happening in the drone spraying industry and across state regulations. Industry participation has always been important to me, and this is one way I can help both agriculture and the drone industry.
There is lots of potential for the use of drones in spraying, whether it be in pasture situations to control woody weeds or in horticulture and even in broadacre cropping. But keep in mind the 6 tips that I have given you, go out and talk to people, do some research. See if there is a fit for a drone. Then come to me to help you sort through the rest.
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