Who needs a 20 cm precision farming system

The GPS industry has recently focused a great deal of effort on emerging applications in the agriculture industry. The technology is now available to develop accurate navigational devices that will allow the farmer to place the correct amount of fertilizers and chemicals where the field requires it. Computer maps can be generated by soil testing, yield monitoring, and using previous field input information along with accurate positioning devices. These maps can then be used with the variable applicators that are capable of varying the rates as they pass through different parts of the fields. These applicators use a computer to control the rates of nitrogen, phosphate and other essential fertilizers that will provide the correct amount of nutrients for the crop to carry it through the growing season. It is understood that real-time accuracy of 0.02 to 0.20 m is required in the agriculture industry to provide the benefits as mentioned. With recent developments, GPS hardware technology has evolved to the stage where suitable and cost effective accuracy can now be achieved to address this market requirement. Technology is now being implemented into products which are proving accurate to these levels.