Calving Chaos! Why Waikato Farmers Are Planning Drone Spraying Jobs Now
It all begins with an idea.
It’s calving season, and that means long days, late nights, and plenty on your plate. With pre-mating heats on the horizon and the weather still keeping everyone on their toes, it’s tempting to push things like paddock prep or weed control to the back burner.
But more and more farmers across the Waikato are taking a different approach — getting their drone spraying jobs booked now so they’re not caught out later when spring growth takes off.
Cropping Blocks & Pasture Planning
August is a good time to take stock of your farm and ask a few simple questions:
Are there paddocks that got hammered by wet conditions or stock pressure?
Are thistles or ragwort already starting to reappear?
What blocks are earmarked for cropping this spring?
Would a ProGibb application get early grass moving before pre-mating?
Getting your paddock list together now gives you more options when the season kicks off properly. Jobs can be booked ahead of time — and done when conditions are right, not when everyone else is trying to catch up.
Why More Waikato Farmers Are Using Drones
Drone spraying is gaining ground quickly across the country — especially in the Waikato. It’s fast, accurate, and doesn't damage wet or soft soils. For winter jobs, or early spring paddocks that are still borderline, drones offer a real advantage:
No risk of pugging or tracking
Minimal downtime between rain
Ideal for hilly or sensitive terrain
Quick and easy spot spraying
At JD Drone Services, we’ve already started winter spraying for farms prepping paddocks for ProGibb, dealing with early broadleaf, or just wanting to hit weeds before they flower.
A Calving Tip: Use the Book in Front of You
When you’re running on caffeine and broken sleep, even the simplest tasks can slip your mind. Fatigue affects memory — and during calving, your brain’s often running in survival mode.
That’s why your calving book — the one you’re already using to track cow and calf details — is the perfect place to jot a few quick notes on spraying.
If you spot a paddock that needs ProGibb, or notice thistles popping up near the fenceline, scribble it down next to the relevant day or paddock entry:
“Spray after calving”
“Book drone for Paddock 5 – Sept”
“Moss on herd home roof”
It only takes a few seconds, but having those reminders on paper (right where you already look 10 times a day) means you won’t forget them when things settle down.
Simple lists now = less stress later.
Don’t Forget the Roofs
While the focus is often on the paddocks, now is also a good time to inspect herd homes, feed pads, and farm buildings for moss and mold. Slippery concrete and deteriorating cladding are more than an eyesore — they’re a risk to safety and an investment at risk.
A drone-applied moss and mold treatment is a cost-effective way to protect those structures heading into the wet season. We can treat large roofs or yard areas with minimal downtime and no need for ladders or scaffolds.
Plan Now, Spray Later
Whether it's setting up a cropping block, managing early weeds, or prepping for a pasture booster like ProGibb, the best time to plan it is now — not when the rush begins.
And if you’d rather not add one more job to the list, we’re happy to help. Book ahead, and we’ll take care of the rest.
JD Drone Services – Agricultural Drone Spraying for Waikato & BOP Farms
📞 027 921 0192 | 📧 jeremy@jddroneservices.co.nz
🌐 www.jddroneservices.co.nz