GPS-it has been providing high quality mapping services to the kiwifruit industry since 2001.
As pioneers and experts of the kiwifruit mapping industry, we’ve integrated the latest advancements in drone (UAV) and aerial technology to ensure that the data is captured with the highest degree of accuracy possible.
Our in-depth knowledge of horticulture allows us to customise your data and generate precise plans that will help you make important decisions with confidence.
Phase one - initial set out
We'll schedule your job with one of our orchard design specialists, who will capture highly accurate images with a drone (UAV) and a specialised camera.
They’ll also take ground control points, which are GPS co-ordinates, at various locations around the orchard. From this we can generate a map of your land with precise contour plans and overlay this with soil data to give you an estimate of potential plantable land.
The information provided will allow you to confidently make decisions about the best use of your land.
Phase two - set out plan
Once you’ve decided to go ahead with the conversion, we’ll work with you on the next phase which is a comprehensive development plan.
Using the map we created in phase one, we will overlay it with:
- block size and shape
- shelter belt layout
- planting layout marking every post, row and plant
A legend with the following infrastructure quantities is included:
- posts
- length of wire
- male:female plants
- types of internal shelter belt (tree or artificial)
- total length of shelter belt
Once you've reviewed the draft orchard plan we'll arrange a site visit to run through the design. We'll then make any revisions and send you the final plan, that provides a comprehensive breakdown.
Where to from here:
- With the known quantities, you'll be able to source quotes and estimated costs to set up your kiwifruit orchard.
- The plans can be provided to your bank as part of your orchard financing proposal.
- The map can be used as part of your tender for licensing, as GPS-it is Zespri's preferred mapping supplier and auditor.
Phase three - implementation
Using the orchard development plan a member of our survey team will come out to your site and mark out some, or all of the following:
- pegs at each end assembly
- pegs at each outside post
- spray markers for each plant
This gives your contractors the exact locations for and removes the guesswork making their job much more efficient and cost effective.
Case study
The Process
A kiwifruit grower was converting 15ha of land to kiwifruit at Aongatete. The site was challenging due to undulating contour and angular blocks. The grower contracted GPS-it to work with him on the orchard design plan, to ensure it was exact and the quantities were correct.
Phase one - initial set out
GPS-it captured imagery and GPS points of the site to establish the maximum planting area.
Phase two - set out plan
We overlaid the map with shelter belts, defined block size and planting layout, including the location of every row and post.
We also provided the quantities needed for:
- posts
- length of wire
- male:female plants
- types of internal shelter belt (tree or artificial)
- total length of shelter belt
Phase three- implementation
The grower used the GPS-it plan to implement the orchard design.
What the grower said about GPS-it’s orchard design service…