Preparing Vineyards for the Growing Season with Timely Drone Spraying Solutions

NELSON, NEW ZEALAND — Early-season spraying doesn't always wait for the ground to dry out. Vines still need attention, weather windows can be narrow, and bringing heavy machinery between rows may not be practical after prolonged rain.

Agri Drone Specialists has seen this situation firsthand. One of its customers, MacCon Vineyards in Tasman, used the company's drone spraying service on grapes and pears while the ground was too wet for tractors and conventional sprayers.

The grower, Ryan Gaudin, reported accurate spraying and water rates comparable to computerised tractor equipment. For vineyards dealing with soft ground, that was a useful alternative to having to wait for machinery access to improve.

The company says early-season work is worth considering when growers are putting together their spray schedule, rather than leaving access questions until the job is due. That doesn't mean every block should be sprayed at the first available opportunity. Crop stage, the intended treatment, weather and product requirements still guide the timing.

“Growers have enough to keep track of at the start of the season without finding that the ground won't take the equipment they planned to use,” a representative of Agri Drone Specialists said. “We look at the block and the job that's required, then work out whether drone application is a suitable option. Sometimes getting access is the main issue.”

Agri Drone Specialists provides vineyard spraying across Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough, including fungicide application, liquid fertiliser and inter-row weed control. Its drones can work on uneven or sloping terrain and avoid driving through the rows, which can help where soil conditions make ground machinery difficult to use.

For growers considering Agricultural Drone Services in Nelson, the company recommends discussing site access and treatment needs before scheduling a job. Row layout, slope, canopy condition and weather all affect how an application should be planned.

Early-season preparation isn't only about deciding what needs spraying. It's also about knowing how the work can be carried out when the time comes.

About Agri Drone Specialists
Agri Drone Specialists is a Nelson-based agricultural drone operator serving Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough and the wider Top of the South. Its services include vineyard, orchard and crop spraying, weed control, aerial seeding, fertiliser application and mapping.