Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!

Good morning, I’m Richard Baddiley, on this Early Bird special today we take a look at the stories around AI - artificial intelligence, and how its use is helping our industries.

 

Kiwi drone tech revolutionises livestock tallying

A groundbreaking Kiwi innovation is transforming livestock tallying on farms up and down the country. PGG Wrightson and Inde Technology have joined forces to develop SkyCount, a cutting-edge application combining drone technology with Microsoft's artificial intelligence.

This new system dramatically reduces the time needed for stock counts. What once took weeks, especially on larger properties with multiple herds, can now be accomplished in minutes. The technology utilises drones to capture aerial footage while artificial intelligence identifies and counts specific animal species on the ground, from high country terrain to flat plains.

PGG Wrightson's team ensures accuracy by reviewing the AI-generated data, making minor adjustments when necessary. The system's precision has reached impressive levels, often achieving 99% accuracy in ideal conditions.

Animal welfare was a key consideration in SkyCount's development. The drones operate at 120 metres altitude to minimise disturbance to livestock. Inde Technology even modified the drone propellers to reduce noise, ensuring the counting process remains non-invasive and stress-free for animals.

While the current focus is on beef, dairy, and sheep, PGG Wrightson sees potential for broader applications. Future uses could include tracking wild animals like pigs or assessing crop areas and health.

 

AI meets Māori wisdom in revolutionary farm management tool

A new artificial intelligence tool is set to revolutionise decision-making on farms by combining cutting-edge technology with traditional Māori knowledge. Tupuna Pai, developed by Phil Kupenga from Tairāwhiti, aims to empower farmers and land stewards to make choices that honour both environmental and cultural values.

This agritech solution emerged from Kupenga's work with Whāngārā Farms, where he recognized a need for a tool that could bring sustainable decision-making into daily farm operations. Tupuna Pai addresses this by integrating advanced AI with indigenous wisdom to support sustainable land management.

The platform analyses data on soil, water, and weather conditions to offer tailored recommendations for farming practices. It can suggest optimal planting and fertilising times, or methods to reduce chemical use while maintaining productivity. Crucially, these suggestions align with the values of land stewards, ensuring that farm decisions respect both the environment and cultural heritage.

Tupuna Pai also aims to solve a common challenge in agriculture: maintaining consistent alignment between farm decisions and core values. By integrating Corporate Social Responsibility into every recommendation, the tool helps ensure that land management is both ethically sound and environmentally responsible.

Whāngārā Farms, a significant East Coast operation with over 8800 hectares and 2500 shareholders, is working closely with Kupenga to refine the platform. CEO Anthony Creswell sees Tupuna Pai as an opportunity to support holistic decision-making that incorporates Māori values of kaitiakitanga, whanaungatanga, rangatiratanga, and manaakitanga.

The tool's potential extends beyond individual farms. By providing transparency in decision-making and illustrating the application of tikanga Māori in farm management, Tupuna Pai could help build consumer trust in New Zealand's agricultural products.

Kupenga is now assembling a team, aiming to include tech developers trained in Tairāwhiti, and seeking further funding to fully develop the platform and its services. 

 

Mosgiel firm revolutionises livestock parasite management with AI

Mosgiel-based Techion, is changing the game for sheep and beef farmers with a clever new system to manage livestock parasites. Using artificial intelligence, they're helping farmers make smarter decisions about when to drench their animals.

Traditionally, farmers have routinely drenched their livestock to control parasites. But there's a growing problem – these tiny invaders are becoming resistant to the treatments, and climate change might be partly to blame.

Techion has developed a portable digital microscope called the Micro-I, along with some smart software which allows farmers to test for parasites right on their own farms, instead of sending samples away to a lab.

Farmers take pictures of what they see and send them to Techion. The images are analysed by AI and Techion's experts, and a few hours later, farmers get results telling them whether they need to drench their animals or not.

Parasite resistance to drenches has become a big issue in recent years, with some farmers  finding that none of the available treatments work anymore.

With this new technology, farmers can make more informed decisions about drenching, which could help slow down the spread of drench resistance and keep farm animals healthier, while also saving farmers time and money.

 

'Caitlyn' revolutionises crop information access for farmers

The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) has introduced an A.I tool that's set to change how farmers access crop information. Called 'Ask FAR AI', this new system uses artificial intelligence to help farmers quickly find the information they need from thousands of research reports and documents.

This tool is a first for New Zealand and is being praised by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and New Zealand designers Custom-D as a cutting-edge use of AI technology.

Here's how it works: Farmers can ask questions like, "When should I put N on ryegrass seed crops?" The AI then searches through FAR's extensive database, summarizes the relevant information, and provides an answer with links to the full documents. This saves farmers from having to search through numerous reports themselves.

Dr Haren Samarasekera from AWS New Zealand explains that this technology is transforming how organizations use their information. The system, nicknamed Caitlyn, can quickly process 30 years' worth of research, making it easier for farmers to get accurate, reliable answers to their questions.

Josh Smith from Custom-D, who helped develop the tool, says it can handle specific questions like, "I'm located in Canterbury, what can I do to increase my grass seed yield?" The system then provides tailored, region-specific answers within seconds.

The tool also includes features that allow farmers to verify information and provide feedback, which helps improve the system over time. There's even a dashboard that gives FAR insights into how farmers are using the tool and what kind of information they're looking for.

Early feedback from farmers testing the system has been very positive. The hope is that this new AI tool will become the go-to resource for arable farmers in New Zealand, making it easier than ever to access the information they need to grow better crops.

 

AgResearch's AI-powered laser innovation

And AgResearch, a Crown Research Institute, has developed a groundbreaking weed control system that sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. Called "Map and Zap," this innovative technology uses artificial intelligence to identify weeds and a laser to eliminate them, potentially reducing the need for chemical herbicides in agriculture.

Dr Kioumars Ghamkhar, director of the Margot Forde Genebank, leads the team of scientists and engineers behind this project. He says that while Map and Zap won't completely replace chemicals, it could significantly reduce their use over time.

The system is designed to be versatile, fitting onto any tractor or robot for use in vineyards, orchards, vegetable fields, or pastures. Its AI can distinguish between different weed species, ensuring only unwanted plants are targeted.

Industry experts witnessed Map and Zap in action at a Canterbury vineyard. Eitan Dan, managing director for Australasia at agritech firm CropX, was impressed by the demonstration, describing it as a prime example of precision agriculture - addressing a specific problem without harming surrounding areas.

This innovative approach aligns with AgResearch's mission to enhance the value, productivity, and profitability of New Zealand's agri-food and agri-technology sector through science. 

As the technology continues to develop, it could represent a significant step forward in sustainable farming practices, offering a high-tech solution to reduce chemical use in agriculture.

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