With spring in full swing, the weeds are up and about.

Rotor Solutions Australia (RSA), operating out of Albury, has been busy in the Upper Murray spraying winter and spring weeds over the past few months, not only from the helicopter but also using a drone.

With the addition of drone spraying to its services, RSA has received a lot of interest.

“People want to know the ins and outs, how it all works and how it can work for them,” said general manager, Monique Acton-Adams.

“The first thing we always reinforce is that the helicopter is about maximising productivity working among high ridge lines and in inaccessible country, using precision application.

“The drone is all about even greater precision, however this can limit the productivity as it can be a time consuming exercise.

“It’s best not to compare the two as they both serve different purposes,” Monique explained.

While the helicopters are doing the heavy lifting with the winter and spring weed spraying, the drones will come into their own during the summer homing in on blackberry infestations.

Monique explained that the perfect drone jobs include “working along fence lines and boundaries and in and around big kurrajongs or other natives as well as small jobs out on their own and jobs which are close to houses and sensitive areas.

“The drone also opens up aerial application to smaller farming operations, which may have previously been too costly to get a helicopter in.”

Monique added that small cropping blocks are also ideal situations for the drone.

“It allows us to provide uniform application over a crop, with less buffer area next to other susceptible crops or pastures,” she explained.

“We look forward to watching the drones and helicopter work together going forward.

“In some scenarios, the helicopter will treat the usual bigger open areas and the drone will follow with another application to ensure no weed is left behind by getting into the tightest of spots.”

Monique added that RSA is still spreading fertiliser in some areas, spraying pasture for weeds and seeding and the drone can be useful in certain instances.

“The drone isn’t just for spraying,” she said.

“It is capable of spreading fertiliser, granular herbicide and seed. Just like the helicopter, the drone offers a full range of services.

“After spring rain and warmer than normal temperatures, the weeds are in full swing around the region, so get ready before it’s too late.

“Plan early, organise chemical early and book in early,” Monique advised. With wait times at a minimum thanks to its fleet of four helicopters and countless options with helicopter or drone, RSA is proud to be renowned “for all your aerial needs, servicing the Upper Murray for 15 years.”

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 5 October 2023.