Drone Mustering in Australia: The Rise of Kelpies in the Sky

Summary: Drone mustering is transforming livestock management across Australia. This guide explains what drone mustering is, how it works, who’s leading the field, and what it costs to get started, with a spotlight on innovators like SkyKelpie and companies like Flying Glass.

Across vast cattle stations and sheep properties, the era of saddle-worn stockmen and noisy choppers is giving way to high-tech herding from the sky. Drone mustering is revolutionising livestock handling in Australia. Flying Glass, an Australian drone company, has seen a growing interest in this space, particularly from remote landholders eager to improve efficiency, reduce stress on animals, and save on labour costs.

Drone mustering in Australia is more than just a technological novelty. It’s a practical, scalable solution that’s helping landowners cover hundreds of hectares without a quad bike or helicopter. Companies like SkyKelpie are leading the charge with systems that mimic traditional working dogs, except these ‘Kelpies’ fly and bark from above.

What Is Drone Mustering?

Drone mustering involves using remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) to direct livestock movement across a property. Much like a working dog or stockman, the drone hovers and nudges animals in the desired direction, using noise, positioning, or even audio cues (such as dog barks) to guide the herd.

Drone Operators fly from the ground, often following the herd via live video feed. Some drones even include speakers to play pre-recorded cues, such as barking sounds, which cattle or sheep respond to instinctively. This method is particularly useful in areas where traditional mustering is unsafe, costly, or logistically difficult.

Why Drone Mustering Is Gaining Traction

Drone mustering in NSW and other parts of Australia has surged in popularity due to its practicality, especially in remote regions. Here are some of the reasons landholders are adopting this method:

• Reduced stress on livestock: Unlike noisy helicopters, drones are quieter and more controlled, causing less panic.
• Lower operational costs: A drone mustering cost is minimal compared to fuel, aircraft maintenance, and wages for chopper pilots or quad bike riders.
• Improved safety: Operators remain on the ground, reducing risk of injury.
• Increased reach: Drones can fly over hard-to-access terrain, gorges, or boggy areas that might be impassable by vehicle or horse.

Spotlight on SkyKelpie

SkyKelpie has become one of the most recognised names in this growing field. Based in Queensland, SkyKelpie was featured in recent Australian news coverage for their innovative approach to drone mustering. Their drones are equipped with speakers that play dog-barking audio to mimic the behaviour of real kelpies, tapping into the natural instincts of cattle and sheep.

The SkyKelpie system is being trialled and deployed on properties across Australia, with promising results. Their research partnerships with universities and agritech firms show just how serious the industry is about embracing drones as livestock workers.

Drone Mustering: Cost and Setup

When it comes to drone mustering price points, costs vary depending on the scale of operations and the gear involved. Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Drone hardware: Entry-level systems capable of basic mustering start around $2,500 AUD, while more advanced models with long-range, thermal cameras, and speaker systems can reach $8,000–$15,000 AUD or more.
• Training: You’ll need a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) from CASA if operating commercially. Flying Glass offers RePL training tailored to agricultural use cases.
• Additional approvals: For BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations, CASA approval is required. This process can add cost but opens up far greater range potential.
• Maintenance & accessories: Ongoing costs include batteries, propellers, and weather-resistant cases.

When factoring in reduced labour, fuel, and wear on vehicles, the long-term cost benefits of drone mustering are considerable.

Where Is Drone Mustering Being Used?

While it started in the northern parts of Australia, drone mustering in NSW is becoming more common. Properties west of Dubbo, across the Riverina, and even into the Hunter region are starting to adopt the technique. It’s especially valuable on large, rugged blocks where a day’s mustering might otherwise involve multiple staff and long hours.

Case studies have shown that drones can move hundreds of cattle in under two hours – without needing to start a vehicle. And they do so while recording video, providing insight into livestock health, herd spread, and behaviour.

Are Drones Replacing Traditional Kelpies?

Not entirely – but they’re certainly joining the team. The concept of a kelpie’s drone cousin is more complementary than competitive. A well-trained kelpie still has a place in close yard work and face-to-face herding. However, for the larger and rougher areas of a property, a drone can act like an airborne scout or long-range herder.

Some operators even use both: drones for the large paddocks and dogs for final yarding. In fact, combining aerial footage with kelpie body language may help train dogs more effectively or help humans understand livestock reactions better.

What Type of Drone Do You Need?

If you’re exploring drone mustering for sale options, here are some features to look for:

• Long flight time: At least 30 minutes, ideally more with swappable batteries.
• Weather resistance: Wind and dust are standard in Aussie paddocks, so rugged designs matter.
• Speaker system: Useful for vocal cues or kelpie barking sounds.
• Good camera: 4K video and live streaming can assist in stock monitoring and recording musters.
• Range: Longer transmission distance, or the option for relay/boosted signals, is useful on larger blocks.

Brands like DJI (Mavic 3 Enterprise, Matrice 300 RTK) are popular, but some farmers opt for custom solutions based on property size and needs.

The Future of Drone Mustering in Australia

The future looks promising. With AI integration, autonomous path planning, and image recognition, drones will soon do more than just herd. They’ll monitor herd health, detect missing animals, assess pasture conditions, and send alerts for anomalies.

As technology becomes more affordable and regulations adapt to industry needs, the drone mustering cost will continue to fall, making it accessible to smaller operations as well as large-scale cattle stations.

Flying Glass, an Australian drone company, remains at the forefront of drone education and advanced operations. Whether you’re a grazier curious about drones or someone keen to work in agtech, drone mustering represents a growing frontier with plenty of opportunity.

How to Get Started with Drone Mustering

If you’re ready to explore drone mustering in NSW or anywhere else across Australia, start by getting properly licensed and trained. A RePL course will give you the knowledge and legal capacity to operate commercially. Next, consider your property’s needs, terrain, and herd type before selecting a drone.

Even if you’re not ready to dive in with both boots, attending a demo, watching trials, or speaking with companies like SkyKelpie or Flying Glass can help you see what’s possible. This isn’t just about the future of farming – it’s already here, and flying strong.