About Blackthorn Arable
Blackthorn Arable Ltd is working together with Coptrz to bring new and improved farming methods through the use of drone technology. They have been using the DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral and Pix4D to make better farming decisions and optimise crop management. Committed to sustainability and agricultural advancement, they are pioneering innovations in farming practices.
About Blackthorn Arable
Blackthorn Arable Ltd is working together with Coptrz to bring new and improved farming methods through the use of drone technology. They have been using the DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral and Pix4D to make better farming decisions and optimise crop management. Committed to sustainability and agricultural advancement, they are pioneering innovations in farming practices.
Coptrz Are Trusted By
Objective
The objective behind adopting drone technology is to streamline crop health surveillance, swiftly pinpoint potential agronomic challenges, and inform immediate choices concerning herbicide applications, fertiliser allocation, and adjustments in crop inputs.
Implementation
Utilising the DJI Mavic 3M drone, Blackthorn Arable captured detailed aerial images of various crop fields. One notable image, M3M 2022, provided a stark comparison of two fields side by side, highlighting the healthier crop. A green stripe through the image exposed a missed herbicide application, resulting in grass weed infestation. The aerial view also revealed the extent of herbicide damage in one field which could not be seen from the ground.
In another image, M3M 1987, the drone exposed some fertiliser striping caused by machinery settings. This is a subtle issue that could lead to significant reduction in crop output. These issues are made visible from above, offering insights often overlooked from the ground. Additional images, including GNDVI, NDVI, ORTHO, and surface models, depicted a field in the Norfolk fens impacted by water retention and recent grazing by geese. The drone photos pointed out different soil types, highlighting areas with silty soil and parts richer in peat. This variability, typical of fenland fields, has substantial implications for crop management.
What Solution Was Used?
Using the Mavic 3M drone, Blackthorn Arable was able to spot variations in crop health and potential issues in just 24 hours. This helped avoid possible misdiagnoses that might have happened without this technology. The ability to share drone pictures with owners, managers, and staff streamlined communication and encouraged teamwork in addressing challenges. Furthermore, the drone technology not only identified issues but also confirmed the effectiveness of changes in crop management, which is equally vital as spotting.
Multispectral Camera
4 x 5MP
G/R/RE/NIR
RGB Camera
20 MP
4/ 3 CMOS, mechanical shutter
Precise Positioning
Centimeter-level RTK positioning
Microsecond-level time synchronisation
Insights & Actions
The detailed drone insights allowed Blackthorn Arable to modify crop inputs such as fertilisers, promoting growth in lagging zones while curbing overgrowth in flourishing ones. The drone image titled “THISTLES” revealed areas with a high population of this weed, indicating different past crop management zones. This data allows for the targeted treatment of invasive weeds, ensuring the overall crop remains unaffected. Furthermore it drove a focused search for possible wire worm issues, a pest that can cause complete crop failure if not tackled in time.
Get in touch
Blackthorn Arable states that the Mavic 3M and Pix4D imaging software have become indispensable tools in their operations, making image management more straightforward than other systems they had previously tested. Drones are proving to be an invaluable tool in precision agriculture. With the assistance of Coptrz, Blackthorn Arable continues to make data-driven decisions for optimal crop production. For more details or questions, please get in touch with us to speak to an expert.
Want to read their full journey with drone technology?
Want to read their full journey with drone technology?
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