Spring Season Update: Anticipating Rain, Preparing for Action

Aerial Applications Australia
Oct 3
3 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

As the warmer months approach across Wide Bay and South Burnett, the anticipation for rain is building. Landholders know that when those first storm fronts arrive, timing is everything — especially when it comes to weed management, pasture establishment, and asset protection.

Right now, Lantana is already beginning to bloom in many areas, though leaf density is still a little patchy in places. This means it’s nearly ready for effective drone spraying, but patience will ensure full foliage coverage for maximum uptake once conditions are right.

At the same time, many producers are planning their drone seeding programs — particularly in paddocks affected by dieback. Having seed on hand and application schedules ready means you can take advantage of those first soaking rains without delay. Likewise, granular herbicide applications are best timed to coincide with soil moisture for maximum effectiveness — and drone technology ensures even, targeted coverage across rugged terrain.

Recent Works: Agricultural & Asset Inspection

Even as we prepare for the coming season, our team has been busy delivering projects that highlight the versatility of drone technology.

1. Broadleaf Weed Spraying & Regrowth Control

Targeted drone spraying of broadleaf weeds and regrowth allowed us to move quickly across large areas, delivering accurate targeting through precision application. This ensures consistent coverage of problem species while minimising off-target impact, and provides documented results for follow-up management.

2. Sinkhole Remediation Mapping

We conducted drone mapping of sinkhole remediation sites, creating a georeferenced baseline for ongoing monitoring. This work not only supports land management but also ties directly into our asset inspections, giving stakeholders the data needed to track ground stability and protect nearby infrastructure.

3. Thermal Inspection of Power Station Cooling Towers

At an industrial scale, we carried out thermal inspections of cooling tower structures at a major power station. Using drone-mounted thermal sensors, we updated datasets on potential corrosion within concrete reinforcement — allowing engineers to make proactive decisions on maintenance and safety. This is a prime example of how our asset inspection services extend beyond agriculture into critical infrastructure.

4. Spring Seeding

Targeted drone seeding for pasture regeneration in preparation for early season rain. No terrain is too difficult for our seeding services which makes treating the recent dieback affected areas simple. Drone seeding is also superior when it comes to accuracy. No need to by extra seed incase you put it through the tractor mounted fertiliser spreader too quick 😜

Preparing for the First Storms

When the rain does arrive, being ready to act quickly is the difference between effective weed control and lost opportunity. Our recommendations for landholders across Wide Bay and South Burnett this spring are:

Drone spraying for lantana and broadleaf weeds – schedule operations to hit peak growth periods. Get in contact now to ensure we can fit you in this season.
Drone seeding for pasture establishment – particularly in dieback-affected paddocks, with seed mixes ready to deploy.
Granular herbicide applications – apply anytime from now to ensure it's out and awaiting first rains to penetrate the soil.
Asset inspections – Prioritising asset inspections before storm season is crucial for maintaining operations and infrastructure integrity. Early inspections enable necessary maintenance, reducing severe weather damage risks.