In June 2024, VegNET partnered with both Bird Control Group and a local vegetable and mango grower to set up an on-farm trial using a laser to control cockatoo populations in snake bean and mango crops. The laser was provided and installed by Bird Control Group on an eight-meter-high pole and programmed specifically for that area. The laser was installed for a trial period of 3 months to observe its success in managing cockatoo damage to the crops. During these months the grower and VegNET collected several observations of the laser for those considering lasers as a bird management tool for vegetable and fruit farms in the NT.
About the laser
The AVIX Autonomic Mark II is a fully automated laser that birds perceive as a physical threat and flee when the beam passes by. The system can be programmed and monitored through iOS and Android apps and connected through Bluetooth.
The laser bulb needs to be replaced every 3-5 years depending on the level of use and can be replaced by the grower. The laser can be programmed with 16 different patterns and 10 different time slots. Each pattern can be assigned to a specific timeslot, allowing a variety of bird- repelling patterns at different times of the day.
About the Bird Reduction
The laser is expected to provide a 70% reduction in bird activity or a large variety of crops and birds. The programming and laser abilities reportedly also ensures the birds do not get accustomed to the device.
About Installation
Assessment of the area that requires bird control is very important in getting the best outcome from the laser. It is essential to work with the company you are purchasing from to ensure crop height/ density, area and flatness of the land is considered. This will influence where the laser will be stationed and the height the laser will need to sit at. For a large area of mangoes, the laser would need to be on a much higher pole than a smaller area of ground vegetables.
The limiting factor in how much area the laser can cover is often not the distance the laser can travel but the time it takes for the laser to finish its area and return to the start again. Ideally no section is left more than 20 minutes without the laser passing over it. Putting the laser in a corner can minimise the angle it needs to work at, allowing it to travel across the area quicker than if it had to work across a 180–360-degree angle. Taking all this into account a rough estimate is one laser will protect 2-5ha.
On-farm trial observations
The Laser
NT growers had previously raised concerns that high UV levels might reduce the laser’s effectiveness from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. The trial found that the laser was of high enough quality that it was not limited by time of day or UV levels, working effectively throughout the day.
The importance of placement and height of the laser was one of the largest learning curves of this trial. The trial used current infrastructure instead of installing a pole as the trial was temporary. The laser was able to adequately cover the snake bean area which was the main priority of the trial, however due to the positioning and height of the laser, it was not able to adequately cover the desired section of mangoes. The trial highlighted the importance of both the grower and the laser provider having a sound understanding of expectation and of the area to cover whether discussed online or in person.
Bird control
In the snake bean crop the grower reported no birds in month 1 due to crop establishment and an 80% reduction in birds from the previous season in months 2-3 once the crop had developed beans. The grower found the laser was effective on the snake bean and he could see on the occasions where the birds stood on the trellis the laser would cause them to move on. One hesitation the grower had however was that when speaking to other farms in the area they felt there was less bird activity this season and so the grower feels the laser would need to be assessed over several seasons to get a confident understanding of the reduction percentage.
Once the snake bean block was covered the laser was also programmed to loosely cover the mango block. The grower saw less birds in the mango block near the laser however not beyond.
He could see that the mango area would ideally require a second laser to cover it effectively. Upon reflection, for the laser to work effectively in the mango crop it needs to be higher and situated in a different area. This is not to say the laser does not work in mango orchards, but the laser positioning and height would need to have been different to get the best results.
Is it cost effective?
When working out if a laser is financially beneficial to your business these are the areas to consider against the expected lifespan of the laser.
Savings
- What is the estimated annual percentage of crop loss/ income loss from produce damage caused by birds?
- Do you currently pay staff to drive around and scare the birds and if so, what is the estimated annual wage and fuel cost of this?
Costs
- What are the maintenance requirements and costs of the laser – often this is just changing a globe every few years however if the laser has issues, what services are available to fix it and what are the costs associated with this?
- The cost of the laser including installation, solar panels and batteries.
Once you have factored in these costs and savings you are in a much better position to decide if the purchase of the laser is the right decision for your business.
If you would like more information about the trial please contact NT Farmers Vegetable Development Officer Mariah Maughan at ido@ntfarmers.org.au.