SkyKelpie
"Drone mustering and aerial stockmanship."
Australian drone startup pioneering drone mustering and aerial stockmanship solutions to help livestock handlers manage animals more efficiently.
SkyKelpie is an Australian drone technology startup focused on the agricultural sector, specifically the application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to livestock mustering — the process of gathering, moving, and managing livestock across large pastoral properties. The company describes itself as the world leader in drone mustering and aerial stockmanship, a field it has helped pioneer through groundbreaking trials demonstrating the effectiveness of drones as tools for herding and monitoring livestock.
Traditional mustering in Australia and similar regions relies on horses, dogs, motorbikes, and helicopters across vast and often difficult terrain. SkyKelpie's approach uses drones to replicate the herding behaviors historically performed by working dogs and mounted stockmen, enabling handlers to muster cattle and sheep with greater safety, reduced cost, and lower environmental impact compared to helicopter-based mustering. The company's trials have validated that drones can effectively guide livestock movement at scale, opening potential for wide adoption across Australia's large pastoral industry.
SkyKelpie is building a range of products and services aimed at giving livestock handlers access to drone mustering capabilities, including hardware guidance, drone sales through its online store, and operational expertise. The company has established partnerships with drone hardware providers and is working to commercialize its technology ahead of a broader product launch. While its public web presence remains limited pending launch, SkyKelpie has attracted attention as a novel application of drone technology in precision agriculture. The company is based in Australia and targets sheep and cattle producers across the country's extensive outback and semi-arid grazing regions.
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Company Facts
Founded
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Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
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Primary Region
Oceania
Annual Sales
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Funding Stage
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Funding Total
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Dogs, drones and AI: Australian agriculture is going high-tech
In Wagga Wagga, Australia, SkyKelpie is revolutionizing traditional sheep and cattle herding by integrating drones into agricultural practices. On a chilly morning, stock agents utilized rattles and whistles to guide sheep through sorting gates, while a three-year-old kelpie named Sky adeptly corralled the flock on command. This innovative approach reflects a broader trend among a new generation of farmers who are eager to enhance productivity through technology. By combining the agility of trained dogs with the precision of drones, SkyKelpie aims to streamline the herding process, making it more efficient and effective. This shift towards high-tech agriculture is driven by the need for improved operational efficiency in a competitive farming landscape.
