Challenge

Protecting High-Value Crops in a State-of-the-Art Glasshouse

Dyson Farming operates one of the most technologically advanced 10.5-hectare glasshouses in the UK, dedicated to growing high-quality strawberries. To manage heat and protect their crop, they needed to apply a specialised, high-tech coating called ReduHeat. The primary obstacle was the application method: for Dyson Farming, where health and safety is a main priority, putting workers onto the glass roof to spray by hand was an “absolute no-go”. They needed an innovative, risk-free solution that matched their high-tech ethos.

Solution

Precision Drone Application

A 1.5-hectare trial was arranged to test the effectiveness of the XAG P100 Pro drone. Operated by professional teams from the AutoSpray Pilot Network, the drone offered a method that was fast, efficient, and completely eliminated the risk to human operators. Angus Thompson, Head of Operations at Dyson Farming, was impressed by the professionalism and “top of the line” equipment. The drone provided consistent, uniform application of the coating.

Result

A Landmark Trial with Huge Potential

The trial was a major success, with the 1.5-hectare application completed in just two and a half hours. Angus Thompson noted that a single drone could potentially cover the entire 10.5-hectare site in one full day, a feat considered “quite remarkable” compared to manual application. This project validated drone application as a safe, fast, and commercially viable method for greenhouse shading and maintenance, aligning with Dyson Farming’s vision for the future of horticulture.

 

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