The Need for Aerial Agriculture

It is proven in practice and well documented in respected scientific journals that quality agricultural crops cannot be grown economically in most large-scale situations without pesticides and fertilisers.

The use of chemicals for weed, insect and fungus disease control with full awareness of the implication for the environment is an absolute necessity. The agricultural aircraft industry believes it can contribute to the aims of the thinking conservationist and the environment in the following ways:

  • Drift avoidance
    Avoidance of off-target spray drift by the use of correct equipment by highly trained and licensed operators and speedy application.
  • Groundwater safety
    An aircraft's spray pattern with downwash effect can permit a lower volume of spray being applied to an area of crop. This helps prevent ground-water contamination.
  • Soil protection
    Prevention of soil compaction which is a problem with ground equipment.
  • Crop protection
    Elimination of crop damage caused by wheeled vehicles.
  • Savings
    Speed of application with subsequent quicker protection of the crop and a saving in labour time and costs. The spraying job is over and done within a fraction of the time.
  • Reduced exposure
    Less exposure to the farmer/applicator than by other methods.    Economy of operation is a key feature of aircraft application of chemicals. Despite the level of inflation over 40 years, the farmer is charged similar prices today to those paid in the 1950's.

Aircraft play an important role in crop protection for:

  • Cotton - aircraft are an integrated part of cotton farming, ensuring crops are protected throughout the season.
  • Rice - almost all the Australian rice crop is sown by air and then protected by aircraft throughout the season.
  • Bananas - aircraft contribute to the black sigatoka eradication program.
  • Cane - cane is too high for anything other than treatment by aircraft.
  • Conservation farming - aircraft avoid soil compaction. Broadacre - aircraft provide quick coverage when it is needed on large areas.
  • Topdressing - many pastures for sheep and cattle are inaccessible for anything except aircraft.
  • Fruit and vegetables - aircraft help growers to ensure top quality food for the table.
  • Potatoes - aircraft deliver sprays to kill insects and fungus that could damage crops.
  • Emergency assistance - during emergencies, the availability of ag aircraft for fire bombing and plague locust control relies on the maintenance of a viable agricultural aircraft industry.