News

Drones boost yields

By Jaci Hicken

Apr 4, 2026

Velterra Drone owner and pilot Ricky Connelly is using cutting-edge drone technology to revolutionise agriculture in central Victoria. Photo by Contributed

Velterra Drone Solutions is revolutionising agriculture across central Victoria with cutting-edge drone technology that promises to boost yields while reducing costs.

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“We work across all agriculture,” Velterra Drone Solutions owner and pilot Ricky Connelly said.

“I started off with viticulture because that is my background.

“I've been in wine for about 15 years and understand the growth cycle from start to finish.

“The drones themselves are mostly used in broad-acre farming in other parts of the world.”

Drones offer significant advantages over traditional farming methods, particularly in sensitive growing conditions.

“Drones suit any plant where once it gets later in the growing season, you don't want to do any damage to the crops, or if there is anything that needs to be sprayed when conditions are quite wet,” Ricky said.

“Generally, grains and corn, wheat, and canola tend to be quite good as well.”

The drones are particularly beneficial for sensitive growing conditions and are commonly used in broad-acre farming. Photo by Contributed

The efficiency gains are substantial.

“You can have a small drone that will fly over, and it can map up to 150 hectares in an hour,” Ricky said.

“Once you have processed all that into one image, you can then sit with your agronomist and have a look through and say, ‘we need to be a little bit more targeted in these zones’.”

This precision approach delivers economic benefits.

“Instead of doing a blanket application across the whole field, you can be customised in different areas,” he said.

“This means you are using your inputs a lot more selectively, intelligently and cutting down on the costs.

“And all that data can be imported into a larger spray drone, so it can do it autonomously.

“As it flies over the field, it will adjust the rate at which it is spraying based on where it is.

“For broad acre, especially in places with a lot more irrigation because you are using lower inputs for your spraying or more concentrated inputs, you are not using as much water.”