Wednesday, 10 April 2019 12:42

Bark from the sky

Written by  Mark Daniel
The barking drone. The barking drone.

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”.

More like this

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.

Got $1.5m for a bit of spraying?

While we are seeing more and more drones being used in New Zealand agriculture, we’re some way behind the US, where in places like the Midwest, the drones are certainly bigger than Texas.

Broadacre drone spraying on the rise

As drones get bigger, broadacre applications like arable spraying will become more common, says the Canterburybased founder of Drone Spray, Jono Scott.

Birds' Eye: Drone surveillance in vineyards

The unique attributes offered by vertical take-off and landing drones are transforming a range of civilian roles, from firefighting to traffic monitoring and now vineyard management.

Featured

Elite sheep dogs to go head-to-head at Ashburton A&P Show

A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.

Safer Rides initiative boosts farm quad bike safety

According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.

Editorial: Farewell Jim

OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Microplastics problem

OPINION: Microplastics are turning up just about everywhere in the global food supply, including in fish, cups of tea, and…

Job cuts

OPINION: At a time when dairy prices are at record highs, no one was expecting the world's second largest dairy…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter