The sky is the limit at Felton Road
Felton Road Wines is using an electric drone sprayer to apply organic fungicides and monitor crops, cutting emissions and transforming management.
A clever offering from drone supplier DJI Ferntech will interest livestock farmers.
The Mavic 2 Enterprise, said to be the world’s most capable commercial drone, uses new hardware and software that make it compact, reliable and safe. The unit has a clever 100 decibel two-way speaker system that allows a farmer to direct dogs or to muster animals; alternatively it can make a ‘barking sound’ to work stock alone or with a team of dogs.
Its high-resolution 12 megapixel camera can extend the pilot’s sight with 2x optical and 3x digital zoom capability. This gives the user better visibility in such hard-to-reach locations as deep gullies or steep terrain; no more getting on your quad or UTV.
The Enterprise also has a dual spotlight giving 2400 lumens for better visibility in low light.
DJI Ferntech, a supplier of drones to farmers since 2013, says the Enterprise shows that drones are evolving into serious work tools, not just toys.
DJI spokesman Jonathon Kubiak says “we are seeing increased uptake by construction, agriculture, asset inspection and public services, all of them seeing opportunities to use drones as part of their day to day toolbox”.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.