Drones to Transform Livestock Mustering in Queensland
“Drone technology will revolutionise livestock management. It’s not just about the efficiency—though that’s key—but also about safety, cost, and the wellbeing of our livestock. This report provides evidence that drones are a viable alternative to traditional mustering methods.”
— 2022 Nuffield Scholar, Luke Chaplain
Luke Chaplain, a 2022 Nuffield Scholar from Queensland, has travelled across the world to investigate how drone technology can be integrated into traditional livestock mustering practices to improve efficiency, safety, and economic outcomes. His research, supported by the Public Sector Pension Investments (PSP Investments), demonstrates the transformative potential of drones in Australia’s livestock industry.
Throughout his scholarship journey, Luke trialled drone mustering across 19 trials on nine properties, mustering cattle, sheep, and goats. By using advanced drones like the DJI Matrice 30T and DJI Mavic 3 Pro, equipped with thermal and zoom cameras, Luke was able to successfully locate, start, and herd livestock, reducing stress on the animals and operational risks for graziers.
Luke's trials provided key insights into the effectiveness of drone mustering, particularly in rugged and remote terrains. He noted, “Drones offer a safer and more cost-effective alternative to helicopters. They allow us to pre-map musters, improve operational flexibility, and start work earlier in the day. The animals also respond well to the drones, moving off pressure calmly and predictably.”
Source: SkyKelpie
In addition to safety and economic benefits, Luke’s research highlighted the challenges associated with navigating complex drone regulations. He advocates for government and industry collaboration to streamline these regulations and make drone operations, including extended and beyond visual line of sight (EVLOS and BVLOS), more accessible for livestock producers.
His travels also took him to the United States, Argentina, Ireland, France, Poland, South Korea, and Japan, where he gained valuable perspectives on emerging technologies and agricultural innovations. Luke even managed to demonstrate drone mustering during a visit to Argentina, highlighting the global interest in this technology.
Luke at the Commercial UAV Expo, Las Vegas, United States
Luke’s report outlines a series of recommendations for industry adoption, including awareness campaigns, training programs, and further research into the economic benefits and additional use cases for drones in agriculture, such as predator monitoring, surveillance, and weed detection.
Luke recently presented his research at the 2024 National Conference in Launceston, TAS and a link to his presentation can be found here.
Luke Chaplain’s full report on drone mustering is now available here.
Supporter Information:
The Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) is one of Canada’s largest pension investors with $264.9 billion of net assets under management as of March 31, 2024. It manages a diversified global portfolio composed of investments in capital markets, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources, and credit investments. Established in 1999, PSP Investments manages and invests amounts transferred to it by the Government of Canada for the pension plans of the federal public service, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Reserve Force. Headquartered in Ottawa, PSP Investments has its principal business office in Montréal and offices in New York, London and Hong Kong. For more information, visit investpsp.comor follow us on LinkedIn.
