A NSW Farmers official running drone workshops in our region this week says the use of the technology in agriculture is widely underutilised.  

“Because this is a relatively new technology people often don’t fully appreciate what drones can do and what drones will do in the future” Catriona McAuliffe, Regional Services Manager NSW Farmers told the Western Plains App.

“Drone use is fairly widespread in agriculture. Most of it is just used for great footage of what is happening on the farm. Many people don’t know how to fully make use of drones.” 

The global agricultural drone technology market is forecast to hit $8.4 billion AUD in 2028. Prices range from $1000 to $40-50,000. 

Drones just used for monitoring tend to be cheaper. More specific drones for more specific purposes tend to be more expensive. 

“People already use it in their paddocks and livestock but there is so much more that they can do. The technology is getting smarter and smarter. People should get competent and get knowledge about drones so they can see how they can be applied,” Ms McAullife said. 

“Especially now with the increase in costs for fertiliser and spray, more and more people are wanting to map their paddocks. So drones are useful for identifying weeds or inspecting their crops and identifying water leaks in irrigation. Drone also create automated maps which can be imputed into tractors,” she said. 

An unmanned aerial vehicle, more commonly known as a drone is an aircraft flown without a pilot. 

Drones were originally developed last century for military operations and are now essential assets to most militaries. As the technology developed and costs fell they were expanded to many non-military applications. 

Image: Federal Government. 

“Spray drones are particularly useful because its been hard to use aerial sprays with the seasons we have had. Drones will never replace boom sprays but it is useful for instance in getting into difficult places on your property” McAullife told the Western Plains App. 

Ms McAullife said that as herd sizes grow, it can be difficult to accurately assess stock counts and numbers. Drones, she says, can help overcome these difficulties. 

“Using precise and accurate sensors, drones also can determine, low crop nutrients, water stress and poor soil health” she added.

McAullife is part of a team running fluffy funded drone courses this week through Tocal College in Nyngan, Bourke and Brewarrina. 

“We show you how to use a drone and what a drone can do. We go through rules and regulations. You need to get a licence to operate a drone and it’s a certified course. We spend the afternoon doing as much practice as possible”. 

Drones Course This Week 

Nyngan - 15th March 

Bourke - 16th March