Early in 2021 we had an enquiry from the Australian Mungbean Company in Biloela. These guys export a huge percentage of Australia’s Mungbeans to Asian markets. They were looking to create a video to promote a particular Mungbean crop due to be harvested in May. The idea was future customers would access the video by scanning a QR code on the export packaging to see exactly where the product they purchased had come from, witnessing a ‘paddock to plate’ style journey.
In all honesty, we didn’t know much about mungbeans (mad google searching followed). Did you know Mungbeans and Mungbean sprouts are used in many dishes like curries, salads and soups. Even some Asian desserts are made from Mungbeans.
The plan was to get us out to Biloela as soon as possible, so we could set up a time lapse camera to monitor a field of mungbeans as they developed, right through to harvest in approximately 6 weeks’ time. Luckily, as this request came through we had just finished building a spare time lapse system. With several units out on other assignments, a spare was built just in case a request like this came through. It also meant we no longer had a spare. More part were ordered to build two spares this time😊
Our time lapse systems consist of a Canon DSLR camera enclosed in a small weather proof housing. It’s completely self-sustainable with a solar rechargeable dual battery system, external memory and its own wifi network. Photos from the camera get uploaded to an online gallery so progress can be monitored remotely. This was especially important to us, as it avoided unnecessary travel to Biloela to make sure the time lapse was recording correctly.
A large field was chosen to install the time lapse system. It had to be positioned close enough to see plants changing in the foreground, but far enough away so it wouldn’t get collected by any harvesting equipment. During this visit to Bilo we also collected aerial and handheld footage of several mungbean fields and some crop spraying. We also interviewed Ray, a Mungbean Farmer who’s family had been farming in Biloela for generations.
Although this particular crop was considered a late planting, it paid off with some unseasonal rain right when the plants needed it most. We monitored the crop from Gladstone, continuing on with other jobs until we got the call saying the farmer had sprayed the crop, and harvest would occur after ‘dry down’ in approx. 10 days. Dry down is where the plant itself turns brown and dries up, which optimises the harvesting process.
We headed out to collect the time lapse camera and record the harvest itself. The harvesting machinery involved was very impressive. The farmers made short work of the 330 hectare crop.
We recorded into dusk to get some picturesque sunset shots.
It was our pleasure to work with the team at the Australian Mungbean Company. We hope the consumers enjoy watching the journey involved before the beans hit their plates.
You can view the mungbean crop time lapse HERE
Watch the final Mungbean crop promo in the video below
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