The technical name for a drone is an ‘Unmanned Aerial Vehicle’ (UAV), and Vaughan realised that their emergence could lead to new approaches to working on (or above) the land. So, armed only with his first commercial drone and good dollop of self-belief, he started Ag-Smart UAV. “I’d always had a strong interest in remote control craft, as a hobby, but starting the business was a leap of faith really – I had no customer base, and the beginnings were trial and error”. Three years on Vaughan is now the only qualified operator in Mid Canterbury offering a range of drone-based agricultural solutions. “Gaining CAA Certification is challenging, it takes a minimum of 18 months, and their vetting of your experience and processes is understandably detailed” he says.
Early work started with the challenge of accessing drain networks. A local regulatory body needed a solution for controlling weeds without inconveniencing neighbouring arable farmers. Not only could Ag-Smart UAV gain access with less impact to paddocks, but it also offered a way for the client to access the flight and chemical use records, immediately uploaded from the drone. Vaughan travels to the work area in a Ford Ranger, modified to support the aerial services. “On board is a 200-litre mixing tank that we refill, and through an inhouse charging system the vehicle produces 230 volts to charge drone batteries on site. So we’ve the power to go all day, provided we’ve also got a ready water source”. Finally, with the recent investment in a RTK Base Station, Ag-Smart UAV now offer flight, and then product application, to the centre metre accuracy – well beyond GPS capability.
Obviously, drones are limited in payload, and in talking to Ag-Smart UAV, the word precision comes up a lot. That said, they’re clearly watching technological development closely, looking for the right time to expand with larger craft. “Drones come into their own when tackling smaller areas, or where access is difficult. I’ve several customers who are growing on lifestyle blocks, so drones are an efficient answer. Drones are also suited to nurseries, where trees make ground movement tricky, and I’ve helped growers battle rust or fungus outbreaks” explains Vaughan. Furthermore, he points out how precision drone work can complement traditional top dressing; “Sometimes an area of the paddock is simply missed by a spreader, it could be in the middle of crop with this only becoming evident later – my craft can fly to areas lagging behind, applying fertiliser and trace elements to encourage growth”.
Beyond spraying, seeding, and spreading, Ag-Smart UAV offers a variety of services to landowners, farmers and businesses. Quality drone cameras open doors for effective crop health or damage assessments, aerial photography, and property mapping. Vaughan also offers insight into construction progress and has been involved in projects monitoring outputs such as gravel stockpiles.
Ag-Smart UAV is based in Ashburton, however they offer their services from the Rakaia to the Rangitata, and beyond. They accept the Ruralco Card, and all members receive a 10% discount on any drone work undertaken. If you have any questions Vaughan would be more than happy to talk, and you can contact him directly on 027 299 1225 or by emailing agsmartuav@xtra.co.nz.
Clearly this Ruralco supplier is a tremendous example of how technological advancement is redefining the way we can approach jobs on the farm. So, the next time you are standing in the field, and you spot something up in the sky… it could be a bird, it could be a plane, or just maybe, it’s a UAV hard at work!
THIS PROMOTIONAL FEATURE WAS PROVIDED BY AG-SMART UAV
Ag-Smart UAV
Tel 027 299 1225
Email agsmartuav@xtra.co.nz
10% discount