Mustering By Drone. Cheap, Safe, But Still Inaccessible for Most

In a battle over the use of drones to muster livestock, a young stockman from north-west Queensland is taking on the aviation watchdog.

Luke Chaplain of Malakoff Station near Cloncurry founded SkyKelpie in an attempt to be the first person in the world to commercialise the use of drones to herd animals.

He stated that while there were numerous advantages to using a drone to muster, such as it being less expensive, safer than mustering with a helicopter, and requiring fewer workers on the ground, regulatory red tape had yet to catch up with the new technology.

While drones are being used to deliver pizzas in several capital cities, graziers are not permitted to fly a drone beyond visual line of sight, even on their own large properties.

"There is a landholder exemption for flying drones to muster cattle, but they must be able to see the drone at all times under Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules," Mr Chaplain said.

"That's a problem when you're talking about mustering over thousands of hectares."

Mr Chaplain became the country's first grazier to be granted permission by CASA to fly beyond visual line of sight over his family's property for livestock mustering.

He described the examination as an expensive and time-consuming process made possible by the industry behemoth Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

He stated that the regulations needed to be changed.

"As long as drone mustering stays in their lane and manned aviation stays in their lane, there won't be a problem."

CASA says in a statement that it is reviewing its regulations regarding allowing landowners to fly drones beyond visual line of sight, and that it has also developed a new exam that is less complex and more accessible.

Mr Chaplain stated that the ability to muster in the cool of the night was also a significant benefit that did not normally occur on properties due to the risk of uneven terrain and obstacles.

He recently used his infrared-equipped drone to chase a wild dog away from a flock of lambs on a friend's property in the middle of the night.

But it was the safety advantages of using drones that were crucial.

Helicopter mustering is regarded as one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, with CASA describing the industry as "hazard rich" due to low-level flying and the risks of terrain, trees, and powerlines.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) reported 133 aerial mustering incidents since the beginning of 2010.

During that time, 21 people were killed and 22 were seriously injured.

Industry giant MLA has been supporting Mr Chaplain's study of the use of drones for mustering livestock.

Managing director Jason Strong said there was a big future for managing livestock with drones.

"There are opportunities across the full spectrum of operations, this isn't just about mustering, it's about checking livestock, water and security of fences and gates," Mr Strong said.

But he does not believe the concept will completely eclipse traditional stockhandling methods.

"One of the coolest things about our industry is the engagement with livestock, the environment and the landscape," he said.

"We enjoy the engagement, whether it's on horseback or motorbike, it will always be an important part of what we do."

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(Source: ABC News )