Why move to WeedMapper?
As the owner of Standfast Contracting based in Goondiwindi, Queensland, Jack Stanfast is always looking for ways to improve efficiency while delivering greater value to his customers. To increase capacity and improve the flexibility of his spot spraying operations, Jack turned to Single Ag's WeedMapper, a drone-based weed mapping solution that generates prescription maps for targeted spraying.
After seeing local contractors and agronomists successfully using the technology, Jack reached out to the Single Ag team to learn more. "I heard local contractors and agronomists were using it in the area," Jack said.
"So, I looked up Single Ag on their website and contacted them. I got in touch with a sales representative, found out a bit more, and they came out and did a trial for us. We went from there."
What this means for his business?
One of the biggest advantages for him was the ability to use a single WeedMapper drone across multiple spray rigs already operating within the business. Rather than investing in additional equipment for individual machines, the team could maximise the capacity of the machinery they already owned.
"For us, it was being able to use it with multiple setups. With the one drone, we had three rigs straight away that were already set up, rather than spending a lot of money for only one camera that would do half the amount of hectares as one of these rigs."
Before investing in WeedMapper, Jack explored other spot spraying equipment. However, those options involved a significant capital investment while offering less flexibility across the business.
The ability to map paddocks ahead of spraying has also provided valuable information before entering the field. By reviewing weed percentages and adjusting weed size thresholds within the software, Jack can make more informed agronomic decisions before spraying begins.
"One of the big positives was knowing your weed percentage before you get in the paddock so you can use it to make the agronomic decisions."
That flexibility has allowed the team to tailor each job to suit the client's objectives.
Benefit
"We've had a few jobs where we've adjusted it and reduced spray down from 50% to 20% or less just because we're only chasing the big weeds." For Jack, the biggest benefit has been the increase in productivity. By using one operator to run the drone while multiple spray rigs work from the generated prescription maps, the business can cover substantially more hectares than traditional alternatives.
"If we can turn up and run multiple rigs at a job, it's only really one man running the drone, and then you can have two or three spray rigs running. We're getting over a lot more country than we did with a traditional spot spraying system."
The increase in capacity has also created new opportunities for the business. In addition to supporting their own spraying operations, Jack now offers custom mapping services for clients with compatible equipment, providing prescription maps that can be loaded directly into their spray rigs.
"The WeedMapper definitely has created extra opportunities as alternate revenue streams. We can now offer a custom mapping service for a few of our clients that have Case IH Patriots where we can turn up, map the paddock, and then load the prescription maps into their rigs." For Jack, the financial benefits were clear from the outset. Rather than investing in additional machinery, WeedMapper has allowed the business to expand its capabilities using equipment it already owns.
"To buy a tractor and a trailing camera sprayer was going to be the best part of three-quarters of a million dollars. This system is a small percentage of that, and we can use it with multiple rigs that we already had."
The additional mapping service has also delivered value for both the business and its customers.
"We charge a hectare rate on top, and it's pretty easy to work out the maths. If we're charging a few dollars a hectare and you're only doing a 30% spray, it's money in their pocket, and it's money in our pocket. So it's a win-win for everyone."
When asked about his experience with Single Ag, Jack was quick to praise the ongoing support provided by the team.
"Since we've had WeedMapper, the support has been excellent. They're always only a phone call away."
