AI in the sky closing in on pest plants

Environment Canterbury (ECan) has taken its first steps towards using artificial intelligence to identify pest plants from aerial imagery. A successful pilot programme in South Canterbury has shown that AI may provide a more efficient way to inspect large swathes of land for biosecurity threats such as Nassella tussock. The tussock is an invasive grass that is rapidly spreading in Canterbury. It displaces productive pastures and is unpalatable to stock. Only 70 years ago, Nassella drove some farmers off the land after it ran rampant, taking over entire farms, leaving no room for crops or stock.