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

Farmstrong marks 10 years of rural support

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.

National

Machinery & Products

Farming smarter with technology

The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

110,000 visitors!

OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.

Sticky situation

OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter