How Can GPS be Used in Precision Farming

The modernization of agriculture is essential to meet the current global food demand. The emergence of precision farming is a fast-growing solution that will help address the problem of food scarcity. Precision farming is becoming more and more popular, with a market value forecast of $9.53 billion by 2023.

Precision farming, also known as satellite agriculture, uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to create a more effective farming approach.

But how can GPS be used in farming to enhance your agribusiness? Read on and discover how this technology can help make agriculture more efficient while remaining environmentally friendly. 

Uses of GPS in Precision Farming

Since its initial launch in 1978, GPS continues to be a driving factor in improving almost every aspect of modern life. Most delivery services use this technology to plan the best routes, and even law enforcement can respond to calls faster with the help of GPS.

With precision farming, you can produce more agricultural output, with fewer resources and still maintain the utmost quality of your production. Here are the two major advantages of this revolutionary method of farming:

•   Boost in productivity: With GPS, you will no longer be farming in the dark. You will be reducing human resource fatigue and you’ll be able to get more done quickly in significantly less hourly costs.
•   Better use of the land: The technology offers a considerable reduction in wasting valuable resources, such as fertilizers and herbicides. Emissions from tractors will lessen, as well as soil compaction.

The use of GPS for precision farming is becoming more urgent these days because of the increasing food demands. Here are some of the ways GPS can help you improve your farming operations and profitability:

Machinery Tracking

Navigation systems can also serve as machinery tracking devices. Instead of physically going out to look for a piece of farm equipment, GPS technology helps farmers instantly locate any machinery on a vast portion of land. 

Furthermore, the technology can assist you with tracking equipment inventory better. Instead of just recording your equipment’s serial number and model, you can also add their current location in real-time.

An excellent GPS tracking device can operate even in rugged conditions of the agricultural field. With the right GPS, you will be able to reap the following benefits:

• Faster equipment retrieval: You will be able to locate your equipment in the field easily and retrieve the equipment quickly when needed.
• Prevents lost equipment: The system will help you remotely monitor machinery. It will also send you alerts if your machinery is not where it is supposed to be.
• Reduced labor cost: GPS equipment can help you better supervise a large stretch of land without the need to hire extra workers. As a result, you can save on costs and allocate your labor to other areas in the field.

Soil Sampling

Figuring out the details about the soil, such as its pH level, composition, and nutritional content, is more efficient with GPS. With this technology, you can easily map out which area lacks nutrition and needs further treatment. With adequate soil sampling, you can quickly distinguish between soils – allowing you to use the perfect type for growing a particular crop.

Equipping a tractor with GPS can help your worker drive it more efficiently, avoiding overlaps and missed blind spots.

Environmental Control

Even before the application of herbicides or pesticides, GPS technology already comes into play. During crop scouting, you can check if a specific patch of land is suitable for growing your crops. The system can help identify weed or pest infestations.

If you need to apply pesticides, you can reduce the application amount without limiting its effectiveness. The effect will be fewer chances of runoff – which can ultimately save you time and money.

Yield Map Creation

Yield mapping helps you measure crop yield by collecting information on crop output. With GPS, you can create yield maps that help you identify expected outcomes in a given area based on both seed and land characteristics. This technique can help you forecast your crop production better, allowing you to map out which pieces of land can produce the biggest or smallest crop.

Improved Farming Routes

Efficiency can be challenging to achieve when you are tending to a vast amount of land. However, when using a GPS tracker for farm equipment, navigating the land becomes easier. You will be able to create the most efficient routes, which can help reduce the wear and tear of your vehicles and significantly lessen fuel consumption.

Improve the Way You Do Your Agribusiness with GPS

Precision farming helps farm owners micromanage their fields effortlessly with the use of GPS technology. It is a cost-effective solution with a user-friendly interface, eliminating any worries about learning technical intricacies. For better profitability, use this technology in your fields. You will be able to automate most of your work without sacrificing the quality of your agricultural output.

Do you want to start introducing precision farming to your business? Contact us today so we can help you get started.