Whanganui’s Airbourne Drones leads charge against invasive species

Andy Bourne has three drones in his fleet but plans to expand. Photo / Mike Tweed

Andy Bourne has swapped a plane for state-of-the-art technology and launched a new spraying and mapping venture: Airbourne Drones.

The Whanganui resident, formerly a pilot for Ravensdown Aerowork, said he had been tinkering with drones for more than 10 years and applying them to agriculture “was the logical thing to do”.

It took about a year for training and certification, but already having an Agricultural Rating in topdressing gave him a head-start, he said.

“I fly a small drone over the area the farmer or client wants [me to] and that builds a 3D model and takes hundreds of images.

“It’s pretty clear – you can see gorse and blackberry and that kind of stuff amongst the grass.

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“Then, you use AI and computer software, which figures everything out and builds a plan.”

Larger drones, which can detect the plant being targeted, are then deployed.

Bourne said using drones instead of helicopters or planes meant far less spray was used and individual plants could be targeted precisely.

“[Planes] have definitely got their place but it’s good to bring an economical option for farmers, especially with the hard financial times they’ve got at the moment.”

For some jobs, drones have been sent almost 2km away.

Bourne said Old Man’s Beard was a massive problem.

“The story goes that it was introduced by the wife of the Taihape mayor, who brought it in for her flower shop,” he said.

“Now, it’s everywhere in Rangitīkei. It’s strangling native bush and just going mad.”

Federated Farmers Manawatū-Rangitīkei meat and wool chairwoman Laura Morrison said new technology – “what’s happening beyond the farm gate” – was always exciting.

“Especially if it leads to greater efficiency and profitability,” she said.

“You’ll get your naysayers but, within Feds, we are always encouraging farmers to be open-minded around innovations coming through.

“It buys farmers time, it helps local businesses, it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Husband Richard Morrison said there was gorse and stinking mayweed on their property – the Gullies farm near Marton.

“Instead of just mass-spraying, which actually creates other issues with cultivation and production, targeted spraying via a drone is a pretty good option,” he said.

Bourne has completed work for Horizons Regional Council and the Department of Conservation.

One job took him to St Arnaud in the South Island.

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“There was one plant in amongst the bush and the local council told the farmer they had to get rid of it.

“I managed to find it and nail it for them. If it was left, it would have been like Old Man’s Beard here.”

His spraying fleet consists of a 20-litre and 40L drone, but a 100L model will be added as soon as it hits the market.

Bourne said drone spraying was becoming more popular in New Zealand, with one other operator in Whanganui.

“I’m not sure how many there are in the country but it’s starting to get big.

“Most are just one-man bands like me.”

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present, his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.