| 57 nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Waimakariri Lands Ltd Ben Purua with his wife Nikki. Spraying steep, wet or otherwise di icult terrain is no problem for Bay of Plenty based Max Drone Coverage. Director Kavarn Fitzpatrick-Molloy says the business is focused on using the latest drone technology to provide practical solutions across the rural sector. “Our drone spraying services are designed to deliver accurate coverage, improve e iciency and help reach areas that may be more di icult to manage using traditional methods,” he says. Max Drone Coverage works across a range of agriculture and rural properties with services including gorse and blackberry spraying, fertiliser application, orchard cover cleaning and roof treatments While the company can replace traditional methods it can also complement them depending on farmer needs. “Ground spraying remains a strong option for many large, open and easily accessible areas.” He says typical cases where drone spraying works well are spot spraying weeds across pasture, hillsides, drains and fence lines; applying products in orchards, vineyards and shelterbelt areas and treating steep, wet or uneven land where vehicles may create damage. Others include managing invasive plants along tracks, gullies and waterways, where appropriate setbacks can be maintained and supporting forestry, revegetation and land restoration work “One of the main advantages is access,” says Kavarn. “Drones can cover terrain that may be unsafe, slow or impractical for people on foot or machinery. They can also reduce the need to drive over sensitive ground, which may help avoid soil compaction and unnecessary disturbance.” Kavarn says the accuracy of drone application can also make it a cost e ective option and reduces product wastage. “For example with drone technology we can provide targeted coverage that helps orchard and farm owners maintain cleaner, healthier growing areas. When it comes to fertiliser using drone technology allows us to deliver fertiliser where it is needed in a controlled and e icient manner.” One recent job for Waimakariri Lands Ltd demonstrated where the technology can make a signi icant di erence. Max Drone Coverage was brought in to spray gorse and blackberry on steep hillsides, allowing the work to be completed without putting sta or machinery onto the slopes. “Every property is di erent so drone spraying is not a one-size- its-all answer. It is especially useful where ground access is di icult, where the area is broken into smaller blocks or where careful application is needed around boundaries and obstacles.” The business, which is CAA-certi ied is now looking at what else drones could bring to the sector. Mapping is among the next capabilities it plans to introduce and heavy lifting is another area of interest for jobs such as transporting pine saplings into forestry blocks as an example. Kavarn says that could open up further opportunities in forestry where steep terrain and limited vehicle access can make planting and maintenance labour-intensive. Max Drone Coverage Drone Spraying Services Stop risking heavy machinery on steep hills, wet paddocks, and dense gullies. Orchard Cover Spraying Weed and Gorse Spraying Roof Treatments Fertiliser Spreading Bay of Plenty-owned Max Drone Coverage uses the heavy-duty DJI Agras T100 to deliver CAA-certified aerial spraying, weed control, and spreading across the North Island. Protect your soil, slash chemical waste, and target problem areas safely with precision farming from above. WHATWE DO Get in touch 027 640 8236 liam@maxdrone.co.nz kavarn@maxdrone.co.nz maxdronespraying.co.nz
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