Australia’s agricultural sector has often been quick to embrace new technologies to enhance productivity and sustainability. One of the fastest-growing tools for modern farming is the drone. We’re not talking about a DJI Mini or a Mavic, we’re talking about something 20x the size, enough to lift a human.
From surveying large tracts of land to precisely delivering water, fertilizer, or chemicals, drones are transforming how farmers manage crops and livestock. This article will explore the benefits of drone technology for Australian agriculture, highlight the best-suited farms and operations, and provide insights into the capabilities of specific drone models such as the DJI Agras series and Mavic Multispectral.
We will also look at research data that underlines the impact of drone adoption and detail how straightforward it can be to integrate drone usage into everyday farm operations.
So, Why Are Drones Good for Farming?
Precision Agriculture
Drones allow you to target specific areas of a field rather than applying inputs (e.g., water, fertiliser, pesticides) uniformly. This reduces waste, costs, and the environmental impact of excessive chemical usage. But how does it do this?
Data Collection and Analysis
Well, these drones are equipped with cameras and sensors, drones can gather real-time data on plant health, soil moisture levels, and nutrient deficiencies. The advanced imaging technologies (RGB, multispectral, or thermal) offer actionable insights that can improve crop yields and identify issues early. Using an ecosystem like DJI, you can pair multiple different drones to work in harmony, share the data and utilise this data to generate efficiencies.
Time Efficiency and Labor Reduction
Drones can survey large hectares of land in a fraction of the time it would take for manual checks. This allows farmers to quickly identify issues like pest infestations, weed outbreaks, or irrigation problems. These drones have 10+ kms of range from the controller.
Cost Savings and ROI
While the upfront cost of a drone might seem significant (although much cheaper than other machinery on a farm), the return on investment (ROI) often comes quickly through savings in inputs, increased yields, and better-informed decision-making. Research from various agricultural institutes in Australia suggests that precision farming practices can improve yields by up to 5–10% while reducing input costs.
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
By precisely applying chemicals and water, drones help minimise runoff and reduce the environmental footprint of farming operations, aligning with Australia’s push for more sustainable agriculture.
Sounds Great, though Which Farms Benefit the Most?
Broadacre Crops
Large-scale wheat, barley, canola, and other grain farmers can benefit significantly from drones to:
Monitor crop health across vast field
Identify patches of pest or weed infestation
Manage irrigation schedules more accurately
Horticulture & Viticulture
Fruit orchards, vineyards, and vegetable farms use drones for:
Mapping plant health and vigor (especially effective with multispectral imaging)
Targeted spraying of pesticides or fertilisers
Early detection of diseases that can spread quickly
Livestock Management
Livestock farms in remote areas can use drones to:
Monitor herd movements
Check on water points and fencing infrastructure
Locate missing or injured animals
Specialised Crops (e.g., Nuts, Sugar Cane, Cotton)
These farms can use drones to:
Map and schedule harvest timings
Pinpoint watering needs and nutrient deficiencies
Detect pests (like the pink bollworm in cotton) early to reduce losses
What are the capabilities of DJI Agras and Mavic Multispectral Drones?
DJI Agras Series
Precision Spraying
DJI Agras drones (e.g., Agras T40 or T50) are designed with spray tanks and nozzles to apply fertilizer, herbicide, or pesticide. They can cover several hectares in a single flight, drastically cutting down spraying times.
Obstacle Sensing and Terrain-Following Radar
The Agras drones feature onboard sensors that help them navigate varied terrain, maintain consistent flight height, and avoid obstacles like trees, fences, and power lines.
Intelligent Flight Planning
Using flight planning apps, operators can set up autonomous flight paths based on field shape or GPS waypoints. This ensures even coverage and reduces the operator’s workload.
High Payload Capacity
Some Agras models can carry sizable spray loads (e.g., up to 30–40 liters), making them suitable for medium-to-large farms that need more robust spraying capabilities.
Mavic Multispectral
Advanced Imaging for Crop Analysis
The Mavic Multispectral drone combines RGB and multispectral sensors (red, green, blue, near-infrared, and red edge). This allows farmers to generate detailed vegetation indices (like NDVI) to assess crop health.
Compact and Portable
The Mavic series is known for its portable form factor. Farmers can quickly deploy it for field inspections or targeted data collection without the need for large vehicles or ground stations.
Precise Data Collection
With a built-in RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) module on some models, location data can be accurate down to the centimeter level. This precision supports better mapping and geo-tagging of problem areas in a field.
Ease of Use
The Mavic Multispectral is designed for single-operator use. Automated flight planning and intuitive flight controls make it accessible to new drone pilots.
Watch Jeremy Clarkson below use a Mavic Enterprise to heard sheep!
Research and Impact
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- Improved Yields: Studies in Australia have shown that incorporating aerial imaging and precision spraying can increase crop yields by 5–10%.
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- Input Reduction: By using targeted spraying with drones, farms have seen up to 30% reductions in pesticide use, lowering costs and environmental impact.
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- Speed of Detection: Drone imaging identifies crop stress factors (diseases, pest infestation, nutrient deficiency) roughly 40% faster than manual scouting, allowing for more proactive treatments.
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- Water Savings: For irrigated farms, drone-collected data can help optimize water usage—critical in drought-prone regions of Australia.
How Easy Is It to Bring a Drone onto the Farm?
Regulatory Framework (CASA)
In Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) oversees drone regulations. For commercial agricultural drone use, you may need a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and an operator’s certificate (ReOC). However, for drones under 2 kg or for private use on your own property (with certain conditions), regulations are more relaxed.Australia Agritech will ensure you understand and are operating within CASA Regulatory Framework, we’ve helped countless farmers bring drone operations to their farms.
Training and Education
Many suppliers and training organizations offer short courses, both online and in-person, to help farmers quickly gain the skills and certifications they need. DJI also has authorized training partners for specific drone models.Luckily for Australia Agritech we will provide you with the appropriate training to ensure you are set for success and are specially trained by DJI as we are a tier one agricultural dealer in Australia. You are in safe hands!
Costs and Financing
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- Entry-Level Solutions (e.g., smaller drones): Start around a few thousand dollars and are typically used for basic imaging and mapping.
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- Advanced Drones (e.g., DJI Agras, Mavic Multispectral): These can range in price from around AUD 6,000 to AUD 30,000 or more, depending on payload capacity and sensor sophistication.
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- Financing and Subsidies: Some agricultural loans or grants may be applicable for precision agriculture technology.At Australia Agritech, we will ensure you get the best price on all your drone equipment, this is an absolute guarantee.
Maintenance and Support:
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- Routine Checks: Like any farm equipment, drones need regular checks of motors, batteries, and sensors to ensure reliability.
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- Software Updates: Keeping drone software and firmware updated is vital for maintaining safety and taking advantage of new features.
Integration with Existing Farm Operations
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- Data Handling: The simplest way is to pair a drone with farm management software or tools you already use.
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- Automation: DJI’s software allows flights to be pre-planned, making it easier to integrate regular drone surveys into the farming schedule.
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- Scalability: You can begin with a single drone for scouting or mapping and then scale up to spraying drones as they become more comfortable with the technology.
Final Thoughts,
Drones are becoming an indispensable tool in Australian farming. Whether you’re growing broadacre crops in Western Australia, managing a vineyard in South Australia, or tending to large cattle stations in Queensland, drone technology brings efficiency, precision, and valuable data-driven insights.
Models like the DJI Agras series excel in precision spraying and large-scale applications, while the Mavic Multispectral offers high-quality imaging that can greatly enhance crop analysis.
Coupled with supportive research indicating significant yield gains, input reductions, and water savings, drones represent a wise investment for farmers of all sizes.
With proper training and compliance with CASA regulations, incorporating a drone into your farming toolkit can be easier than you might expect. As technology advances, drones will only become more vital for maintaining a competitive edge in Australia’s dynamic and demanding agricultural landscape.
Get in touch with us at Australia Agritech and we’ll make sure you are looked after from start to finish and see success in bringing drone operations to your farm, we’ve not going to dump the box on your farm and wipe our hands clean!!
References & Additional Resources
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- Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) – Drone regulations in Australia
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- Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) – Research on agricultural robotics and drone technologies
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- DJI Agras Series – Official DJI website for agricultural drones
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- DJI Mavic Multispectral – Official DJI product page for multispectral drones (Note: product links may vary based on region)