GPS Guidance Systems Provide Exceptional Accuracy in Tracking




These systems provide an opportunity to accurately guide field operations and match rows of successive field operations, such as fall fertilizer placement and spring harvest. With growing interest in strip tillage and deep banding of fertilizer to increase nutrient use efficiency, these systems show a lot of promise.




Various types of "user interface" are available on the different guidance systems. Most use a combination of lines and lights to help the driver monitor the system.





As this farmer shows, hands-free driving can be a reality. While that is not the objective, it demonstrates the accuracy of the systems. Specific placement of fertilizer, seeds, and other inputs with respect to one another could offer important tools for crop and soil management. Interest in the demonstrations was high. Attendees were given an opportunity to test drive the guidance systems.

Photos by Harold Reetz, PPI, taken at 2001 Ohio Farm Science Review.