Find the weeds first
Our goal in weed detection is to reduce the overall application cost by taking care of the time consuming process of locating the weeds. So when it comes time to apply chemical, there is no time wasted locating weeds. And major chemical and production savings can be achieved.
The Requirements For Weed Detection
Mapping while weeds are in flower is the best solution for terrain with lots of other plants. The flower allows
Flower
For terrain with lots of other non target plants, waiting for weeds to flower allows them to stand out from the crowd. It is a very noisy environment when lots of other plants are involved which may conceal weeds. So the best results are achieved when plants are in flower.
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Grazed
Pasture
For Pasture weeds, we need to ensure the pasture has been grazed down to a low cover before we can map for weeds. Long grass will conceal weed locations. Once the pasture is grazed, we will analyse leaf size and patterns to find weeds.
Cropping
Generally in cropping situations the ground is dirt or brown. Allowing for easy plant identification. We will analyse patterns, flower and leaf shapes to filter the weeds from the crop.
Conservation
Locating weeds on sensitive areas is crucial to protect native and protected plant species. Combining all of our weed detection ability, we can detect any weed that is not covered by other plants.
The Weed Detection Process
Step 1:
Our small mapping drone will come and fly a grid pattern over the target area. Taking thousands of high definition photos. We ideally aim for cloudy days as shadows in rough terrain can hide weeds.
Step 2:
We upload all of the images captured into our ultra high performance computer. The computer stiches all of the images together to create a high definition map of the target area.
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Ai powered software meticulously scans the map. Distinguishing between different plants to find the target weeds.
Step 3:
The location of each weed is marked by GPS within a 2 cm accuracy. This means you sit on the weed map as long as you desire before spraying.
This is vital for certain weeds such as gorse, as you want to avoid spraying when in flower. We can simply wait for the flower to disappear and know with certainty where the plant is without having to visually see it.
Select The Best Application Method
Mapping while weeds are in flower is the best solution for terrain with lots of other plants. The flower allows
ground
Based
If you plan to go out by yourself and tackle some weeds to save some money. Let us guide you through thick scrub to the weeds. Upload weed locations to a GPS unit.
Drone Application
The best solution for scattered weeds on difficult terrain. Or defined patches of pasture and crop weeds, where spray booms can't get to. More cost effective than hose and reel or Knapsack spraying. And more cost effective than a helicopter for spot spraying upto 1 km away from takeoff point or smaller blanket spraying jobs.
Spray Boom Application
Perfect for high density weed infestations in pasture or crop. The ability for extremely targeted application reduces damage to non target/sensitive plants. With an unbeatable efficiency. Manipulating boom section control through the sprayer control unit.
Helicopter
For weeds exceeding 1km from the closest accessible location. Perfect for vast, inaccessible terrain. helicopters are not cheap, so ensure there is no time wastage by locating the weeds first. Maps are uploaded into aircraft spray guidance systems.
View Some Of Our Projects
Gorse Detection In Tussock Land
In this situation, long tussock is concealing the location of gorse sprouting within large tussock. On the ground, a person cannot view the gorse hiding amongst the tussocks. This was sprayed with a drone at a total cost of $433 + GST over an area of 38 Hectares
Old Man's Beard Detection In Native Bush
This is an example of detecting weeds amongst native vegetation. Our Native vegetation in New Zealand is very unique, so introduced pest plants stand out very well amongst the native plants.
Wild Pine Detection In Regenerating Swamp
Wild pines are a major problem in New Zealand. Our mapping solution allows wild pine detection in extremely difficult terrain. Wild pines hide within native plants which are impossible to see from the ground. These wild pines were sprayed with a drone fitted with a highly targeted spot spray nozzle to eliminate damage to native species. Ground based application would be troublesome because of thick vegetation.
Ragwort And Thistle Detection On A Dairy Farm
This is an example of Ragwort and thistle detection on a dairy farm. The yellow flower on the ragwort created easy identification. The paddocks were grazed to improve thistle detection accuracy. This particular job cost $1862 + GST for drone application excluding chemical.
Hill Country Gorse Mapping
This is an example of weed mapping on steeper hill country. The ability for the drone to quickly maneuver from plant to plant, while avoiding blanket spraying to greatly reduce application costs. This is a job where a traditional hose and reel operator will take a lot more time to cover the steep and difficult terrain. The drone works out more cost effective.
