GPS tracking systems are wonderful tools that can help any business thrive. One sector which would benefit from using GPS systems is the farming industry. You can eliminate a lot of hard, manual labour involved in farming with GPS technology. GPS technology offers precision to farmers, as they can update real-time tracking every second, making operating a farm a lot easier. You can buy software with your GPS trackers and install it on a phone or computer. Through this software, farmers can continuously view what they are tracking. GPS can really help optimise a farm’s efficiency and ease everyday processes. GPS can also replace the human eye, particularly in bad weather, which usually prevents farmers from working.
Animal management
GPS trackers can significantly ease the stress of animal management. Herding cattle or sheep is time-consuming, particularly if an animal has gone missing or a herd has spread across various fields. Attaching GPS trackers to animals will allow staff to monitor the animals’ location, ensuring they don’t break free from the farm ground. GPS tracking can also make counting animals more convenient, as you can easily check GPS software to locate animals instead of doing a physical headcount. The ability to create a geofence with GPS tracking also can make a farmer’s life a lot easier. Geofences are areas on a map you can outline on GPS software. An instant notification will be sent to a predefined number if an animal leaves or enters this area. This can be extremely useful in alerting staff if an animal has broken loose or wandered into another part of the farm.
Combat rural crime
Tracking animals can also combat rural crime. Rural crime in the UK costs farmers annually a staggering £54 billion (Farmers Guide, 2020). Criminals often target farm grounds or expensive farming equipment, as stealing is easy. GPS trackers can help combat theft which can be detrimental to a business. GPS tracking can help increase efficiency and safety, providing better animal care. Particularly on larger farms, being able to track and monitor animals’ movements without physically being there will significantly reduce staff workload.
Precision ploughing
GPS tracking systems can also help farmers with ploughing and mapping their land. GPS can be used to collect information about the land and identify issues or problem areas on the grounds. Since GPS is such an accurate system, farmers can also map the distance between two points or from a road to a field. This allows farmers to track how long journeys will take within this range whilst monitoring crop health. GPS mapping lets farmers prepare for seeding so seeds are placed accurately for optimum harvest. Using GPS, seeds are placed within less than a millimetre of accuracy. This helps reduce wastage and save time.
Provide insights
GPS tracking information can also help create data insights into the overall workings of the farm. For example, attaching GPS trackers to tractors or farm vehicles can allow farmers to plan for their monthly fuel expenditure. Collecting data lets farmers understand areas where efficiency is being lost and find consistent problems that may need investment or special attention.