Why Agri-Drones Are the Smart Choice in a Soaked Season
Intro
With wet weather patterns becoming more common in regions like Hawke’s Bay, traditional spraying methods are increasingly being pushed to their limits. Tractors get stuck, helicopters are too costly for routine use, and time-sensitive crop treatments are harder than ever to apply. This is where drone spraying technology is proving to be a game-changer.
What We Can Learn from Past Seasons
Back in 2022, RNZ reported how relentless rainfall in Hawke’s Bay tested farmers’ patience and disrupted critical seasonal work.
Farmers were unable to access paddocks with heavy machinery, and even small amounts of rain led to flooding due to already saturated ground. Jim Galloway, then-president of the regional Federated Farmers group, described the situation:
“We haven’t had huge amounts [of rain] like they did in Nelson and Tasman but… the ground hasn’t had a chance to dry out.”
Fruit growers, meanwhile, struggled with disease prevention as wet orchards made tractor spraying nearly impossible. Helicopters were used as a last resort — but at a high financial cost.
Why Drone Spraying Makes Sense in Wet Conditions
The challenges described in 2022 are still relevant today — and in many cases, even more frequent. Agri-drones offer unique advantages during wet seasons:
No Ground Impact: Drones fly above the crop, eliminating the risk of getting stuck or compacting wet soil.
Responsive Application: Apply sprays quickly and precisely between weather windows.
Cost-Effective: Compared to helicopters, drones offer a much more affordable aerial solution.
Reduced Disease Risk: Drones help ensure protective sprays are applied at the right time, even when ground access is limited.
Conclusion
As the RNZ article from 2022 highlighted, wet seasons can seriously impact farm productivity — especially when traditional ground spraying isn’t feasible. Drone spraying is no longer a futuristic option — it’s a smart, accessible, and proven solution for New Zealand growers who want to stay ahead of the weather.
At SkySpray Solutions, we help farmers and orchardists overcome these challenges with fast, precise, and weather-resilient drone services.
Referenced article: "Relentless rain testing patience of Hawke's Bay farmers", RNZ, published 23 September 2022.
