Massey University has purchased an aerial tool from Finnish company Specim as part of a primary growth partnership programme between Ravensdown and the Ministry of Primary Industries to improve how fertiliser is applied to hill country.
Images from the $500,000 Fenix hyper spectral imaging system were displayed by Massey University at the Central District Field Days, alongside sheep fertility research and food innovations.
Massey University vice-chancellor Steve Maharey says the tool enables farmers to manage nutrients, soils and water for each blade of grass.
“The new imaging system brings precise scientific evidence to pastoral management and helps land owners ensure production systems are sustainable.”
Professor of Precision Agriculture Ian Yule was at the Field Days to demonstrate what the technology can do and says the remote sensor enables New Zealand to capture information about the nutrient content of large sections of land that may have been previously inaccessible.
“It’s like turning the whole of New Zealand into a living lab, where you can observe exactly what is going on and describe it in greater detail than ever before,” says Yule.
He says the tool can make New Zealand agriculture more efficient, profitable and environmentally friendly.
“It would be a great advantage for accurately applying fertiliser on hill country but also great for the dairy sector. You could put the sensor over a whole catchment to show you where your hotspots are, to help determine where there is nitrogen run-off.”
