increase font size
Based around a full-sized, well-known Robinson R44 helicopter, the autonomous machine has a capacity of 500 litres.
While we are seeing more and more drones being used in New Zealand agriculture, we’re some way behind the US, where in places like the Midwest, the drones are certainly bigger than Texas.
Equipped with 33ft (10m) booms and a 110gal (500l) capacity tank, the new Sprayhawk drone is being classed as the biggest agri-spray drone on the market.
Designed and developed by Rotor Technologies, based in New Hampshire, USA, the new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), The Sprayhawk, has been released to market with a hefty price tag of $1.47 million.
Based around a full-sized, well-known Robinson R44 helicopter, and fully controlled by a two-man ground crew, the autonomous machine has a capacity of 500 litres matched to 10 metre booms and a capability of covering up to 100ha/hour, with a maximum take-off weight of 1133kg.
Powered by a Lycoming six-cylinder aviation engine that can help deliver a working speed of over 125km/h and a flight time of 50 minutes between refuelling, the Sprayhawk can take off and land vertically, then use autonomous spray path and terrain following algorithms, as well as camera and LIDAR sensor technology for detecting wires and avoiding obstacles.
Impressively, the Sprayhawk matches the spray speed and capacity of manned aircraft, while offering significantly lower operating costs and improved safety.
The first Sprayhawk production aircraft is currently undergoing ground testing ahead of delivery to an agricultural partner in the US Midwest later this year. The first batch of production Sprayhawks will be delivered to early-access partners throughout spring 2025 and are expected to begin commercial spraying operations in the 2025 corn season.
For 2025, the first production run will be limited to 15 aircraft, with customers receiving a “ready-to-spray” pack which includes the Sprayhawk UAV, a 110-gallon tank and 33-foot spray boom system, a helicopter transport trailer, and a ground control station. Rotor offers training, maintenance plans and regulatory support to customers to ensure seamless deployment in any agricultural setting.
A company source commented, “Many of the agricultural drones on the market today are unlikely to stand the test of time. The need for larger and more reliable aircraft is clear and our aggressive introductory pricing for the 2025 model year is designed to speed up adoption.”
Twin rotor swathers have become the ‘go-to’ for forming swaths to feed hungry harvesters and balers, however, the design layout often means that crop located between the two rotors is not picked up, turned over or incorporated into the swath formed for subsequent harvesting.
Operating large tractors became more expensive back in March due to the ongoing Strait of Hormuz conflict, meaning contractors had to introduce fuel surcharges and farmers had to adjust their budget forecasts.
Close to the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks, Motueka is known for apples, pear and kiwifruit orchards, alongside specialised crops such as hops. Indeed, that specialisation, saw the area being the New Zealand centre of the tobacco growing, until the early 1980s.
Can-Am has introduced its 2027 range of side-by-side vehicles (SSV) and all-terrain vehicles (ATV), including the industry leading Defender, the Maverick R and the hugely capable Outlander ATV, incorporating a host of advancements designed to deliver an exceptional riding experience.
Developed in Australia and launched in 2021, John Deere’s See & Spray Select System uses camera-based green-on-brown technology to identify living green plant matter in fallow paddocks and apply herbicide only where it is needed.
Entries opened on Monday, 5 October 2026 for the 2027 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA), which organisers describe as the nation's biggest celebration of excellence in the dairy sector.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
