Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) is ensuring it is part of the ag-tech revolution with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) now being used to conduct research in the Wimmera and Mallee.
BCG took delivery of the senseFly eBee Ag from Ultimate Positioning Group (UPG) at its Main Field Day on September 14 and licenced BCG drone pilot Sebastian Ie took it out for its first flight earlier this month.
The BCG drone is launched for its maiden flight piloted by researcher Sebastian Ie.
The research team have spent the best part of the year researching UAV technology, and with support from UPG have identified a number of ways the technology can be put to use.
Able to carry a range of different sensors, and supported by specialised data processing software, the drone is being used to collect data over BCG trial sites and members paddocks – a task that previously has involved staff members traipsing kilometres through the research plots with hand-held tools.
BCG commercial services manager Cameron Taylor said the purchase of the drone was part of a broader project that is examining how new agricultural technologies might influence production and profitability on broadacre farms.
“During the growing season, with support from UPG, senseFly, and our other partners, we have been using advanced sensing technologies like drones, satellites, and soil mappers to generate a wealth of information on crop and soil characteristics.
“Combined with our more traditional crop assessments, this will let us investigate and demonstrate how these new sources of information are linked to yield and other important paddock outcomes.”
Mr Taylor said the project had the potential to deliver significant value to farmers with relevant and objective data on the costs and benefits of integrating new technologies into the farm business to be produced.
“Ultimately we are looking for ways that will help farmers to analyse risk and respond appropriately in a rapidly changing external environment,” he said.
“The research will help inform farmers about whether UAVs and other precision agriculture practices might contribute to future adaption strategies and help them to evaluate risks involved with the practice.”
A broader understanding of farm data management and interpretation are also expected to flow from the undertaking of this project and there is the potential to improve the efficiency of agricultural research and outcomes to the broader grains sector.
For more information about this technology contact Cameron Taylor ([email protected]) or Sebastian Ie ([email protected]) at BCG on (03) 5492 2787.
This article was published in the Stock and Land on November 2.
