On The Land
14 December, 2025
Drone workshop success
A DIVERSE group ranging from farmers to firefighters have learned at first hand how drones can improve land management at a recent workshop run by Barron Catchment Care.
Drone expert Marcus Bulstrode had earlier demonstrated the land management benefits of using drones to East Barron farmer Alison Schoorl.
The demonstrations were a forerunner display of the versatility of the highly-efficient drone innovations and their benefits for the region’s farmers and landholders.
The Barron Catchment Care free drone mapping session was conducted for the benefit of local farmers on the Tablelands and Mareeba Dimbulah areas and those sourcing water from the Barron River.
Attendees learned that there’s more to drones than spraying weeds and also how the versatile equipment can be used for drone mapping as a decision support tool to achieve on-farm outcomes.
A Barron Catchment Care spokesperson told The Express that drones also could be utilised to monitor erosion prone areas, native vegetation, weeds and waterways.
The workshop and on farm visit included a session on how to operate drones and their application in improving land health and productivity.
Conducted by DPI drone expert Marcus Bulstrode, the Barron Catchment Care sessions began at the TRC Co-ordination Centre Vernon Street, Atherton.
After an introductory session, drone workshop participants travelled to Leasie Felderhof’s property on Mazlin Creek for practical farm mapping demonstrations on applications and planning, including a farm walk and talk and a light lunch.
