Australian woolgrowers are increasingly turning to Chinese-made aerial drones to help with sheep farming practices like mustering and water management, according to the latest trends in the pillar sector.
The drones are being used to "improve efficiency and effectiveness of sheep and grower welfare and safety, management and infrastructure that will likely be applicable to growers in all regions of Australia", according to Australian Wool Innovation, or AWI, the main nonprofit group conducting research for the sector.
Drone use includes the mustering — or rounding up of sheep — by flying near the animals, and using camera functions to track infrastructure like water supply and fences and monitor the condition of flocks from afar. Additional features like thermal imaging and flight programming also help in sheep management.
In one case study, Queensland state woolgrower David Counsell, who handles 10,000 head of sheep with his family, highlighted the advantages of an advanced camera model from leading Chinese drone manufacturer DJI that can fly "straight up to 30 meters".
"If you're nervous, just take your hands off the controls. After all, there's nothing to hit up there," Counsell said in AWI's July industry newsletter.
