Agricultural drone use soars among NZ contractors
Use of agricultural drones by contractors in New Zealand is soaring.
Pottinger’s SensoSafe detection system is now undergoing working trials on farms in Europe.
SensoSafe was first revealed in 2017 when it took a Silver Medal at that year’s Agritechnica Event.
Designed to detect and save the lives of animals hiding in crops, particularly in heavy first cuts, the optical sensor mounted on the company’s front mowers works by converting differing light wavelengths to an electrical signal.
When a deer fawn or other small animal is detected in the crop, the hydraulic system automatically lifts the mower to protect the animal, while at the same time sending an audible alert to the driver, allowing them to bring the tractor to a stop. Said to work in direct sunlight, the system can differentiate between fawns, other animals and even molehills.
Currently, a second system is being tested for rear-mounted mower setups, covering the whole working width of the machine, mounted on an intermediate frame between the tractor and the mower. When an animal is detected, the operator can lift the rear mower, leaving an uncut area to protect the animal, or stop and move the animal out of the danger zone.
The CEO of Apples and Pears NZ, Karen Morrish, says the strategic focus of her organisation is to improve grower returns.
A significant breakthrough in understanding facial eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.
Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.
OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).
The 2024-25 season apple harvest has “well and truly exceeded expectations”, says Apples and Pears NZ chief executive Karen Morrish.
Through collaborative efforts with exhibitors, visitors, and industry partners, Fieldays says it is reaffirming its commitment to environmental responsibility with new initiatives for 2025.
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