Laser weeder on the job in Southland

Otago Daily Times

2 days ago

A robotic weeder is the first of its kinds in New Zealand, a Southland vegetable grower says.
So Sweet managing director Matthew Malcolm said he was proud to introduce a Carbon Robotics G2-200 laser weeder to New Zealand and take "a ground-breaking step forward in sustainable farming".
"This precision technology uses high-resolution cameras, artificial intelligence, and laser accuracy to detect and remove weeds without disturbing the soil or crops," Mr Malcolm said.
Crops grown by So Sweet were carrots, parsnips and organic potatoes.
"We have been farming for five generations, but we've never believed in standing still."
Since the new technology arrived about a fortnight ago, it had weeded about 2ha of organic carrots in Makarewa, north of Invercargill.
"We literally turned it on, plugged the machine in, opened the computer, chose carrots as our crop and started weeding."
The technology could easily decipher between a weed and a carrot.
"It knows exactly what it's looking at."
The robot would help replace some conventional weed control methods including applying chemicals or hand-weeding by casual staff.
All casual staff would be redeployed to other jobs, such as harvesting, he said.
"Which they far more enjoy. There'll be no tears shed from my uni students of not having to go do hand-weeding."
Reducing herbicide-use by up to 80% was a goal set for next year, he said.
The new technology cost "lots and lots".
"It's a very big commitment."
When hand-weeding a crop, vegetables were accidentally pulled out and chemical application could cause "suppression damage" to a vegetable crop.
Consequently, the use of the new machine would increase crop yield, which would help pay back the long-term investment.
"For us, this is about scaling sustainability while protecting our soil, our crops, and our people."
By reducing chemical use, they hoped more people would buy their vegetables.
"Our goal is to produce cheaper chemical-free food," Mr Malcolm said.
The vegetables were available in supermarkets across New Zealand and a small amount was exported to Hong Kong and Singapore.
His son, field manager Jesse Malcolm, was leading the day-to-day use of the new weeding technology.
The laser weeder supported So Sweet's mission to grow with purpose, Jessie said.
"This is more than just a machine. It reflects how we want to farm in the future."
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