GPS Tracking For Farming and Agriculture

GPS tracking and monitoring devices are being used to track people, pets, and even phones. They can provide information about a vehicle or equipment’s use and movements. So how is GPS technology being used to simplify agriculture and farming?

Reduce Manual Labor Needed for Tractor Use

Farms and agricultural businesses managing dozens and hundreds of acres have quite a bit of area to cover. Literally!

GPS tracking and monitoring devices can simplify agricultural and farming tasks such as:

• Cultivating
• Fertilizing
• Pest Control
• Harvesting

Using a GPS tracking and monitoring system, agricultural centers can program which routes tractors use.

This will help save money and time by reducing fuel consumption and the need for additional manual labor.

Target Specific Areas Needing Crop Dusting

Crop dusting is important to the success or failure of a farm’s crops. With the negative effects it can have on the environment and crops themselves, farmers are looking for ways to minimize treating areas that are uninfected.

Using a GPS solution, workers can record the geographic location of insect problems.

This data can then be used to treat only those specific areas, preventing the unnecessary treating of an entire farm area and protecting the health of uninfected plants.

Geofencing and Landmarks Used to Monitor Crops

GPS technology can be programmed to create landmarks and geofences around specific geographic locations. This information can be used to zone specific areas of a farm to provide information regarding crop yields.

Each crop can be set-up with its own geofence or landmark to help establish things like:

• Crop yields
• Soil sampling
• Feeding schedules

This information can be used to determine how well a particular crop is or isn’t performing. Information regarding the nutrient quality of the soil, the amount of fertilizer the crop is using, and any treatments it has undergone for pests can be recorded and used for future planting.

GPS Technology is Constantly Advancing

GPS use in agriculture and farming is growing as quickly as technology is advancing.

Farmers have learned the benefits of using GPS technology and even use it as a way to track and locate wayward farm animals.

With the technology advancing as rapidly as it is, so are the many ways GPS tracking is being used to save time and money to help further ‘green’ the farm.

How accurate is agricultural GPS?

GPS has revolutionized agriculture by allowing farmers to map their crops and track their progress with greater accuracy than ever before. By using GPS receivers to determine their latitude and longitude, farmers can pinpoint their location within a few feet, and track their precise location as they move around their property. This level of accuracy allows farmers to make better decisions about where to plant crops, where to apply fertilizer and pesticide, and how to optimize their irrigation.

GPS receivers are also useful for creating yield maps, which show the distribution of crops across a field. This information can help farmers identify areas that are performing well or poorly, and make course corrections for future seasons.

Additionally, agricultural GPS can be used to track agricultural equipment and assets, safeguarding against potential theft.

Agricultural GPS is usually accurate to around 1 inch, but this accuracy can vary depending on the type of receiver and the quality of the signal. In general, the better the GPS signal, the more accurate the readings will be.

Does GPS allow for precision farming?

Precision farming is a term used to describe a farming technique that uses GPS technology to map out and manage crops with a high degree of accuracy. By dividing a field into small plots, farmers can optimize their inputs (for example, water, fertilizer, and pesticide) based on the specific needs of each plot. This approach can lead to increased yields and reduced input costs.

While GPS is not the only tool used for precision farming, it is a key component. By providing accurate location data, GPS allows farmers to precisely target their inputs, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective operation.

How long has GPS been used in agriculture?

The U.S. Departments of Defense started using GPS in the 1970s. Since the 1990s, agricultural engineers have been using GPS tracking to help create crop yield maps. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that GPS receivers became small and affordable enough for use in consumer-grade applications. Since then, agricultural GPS has become increasingly popular, and is now used by farmers around the world.

With such a long history, it’s clear that agricultural GPS is here to stay. As technology continues to improve, so too will the accuracy and usefulness of GPS for farming.

What percent of farmers use GPS?

It’s estimated that 15% of farmers use some form of GPS to help them with their work. However, this number is growing rapidly, as more and more farmers realize the benefits of GPS-enabled precision farming.

From providing peace of mind to boosting yields and reducing input costs, agricultural GPS has a lot to offer farmers. If you’re not already using GPS in your farming operation, it’s time to consider making the switch.

Canada Launches $165 Million Program Including GPS

In recent news, the Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honorable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced the launch of a new Agricultural Clean Technology Program that will help farmers innovate, including the adoption of GPS agricultural technologies.

The program will provide up to $165.7 million to eligible activities, including “precision agriculture (e.g., GPS auto-steer guidance systems, soil sensors, and remote imagery).”

The program will help farmers reduce their environmental footprint, increase their productivity and competitiveness, and become more resilient to climate change.

If you’d like to learn more about how GPS TrackIt can help to improve safety, increase productivity and reduce costs for your agriculture business, speak with one of our knowledgeable Fleet Advisors at 866-320-5810 or get a quick Custom Quote.