The benefits of agricultural machine guidance have been known in South Africa for more than two decades. I remember meeting one of the first farmers who used the technology, and everyone at the company I worked for at the time wanted to know why it made sense for him to invest in such a system.
He said that it was all about optimisation; he had never had the best-looking crop in the area, but still managed to realise a better profit than many other farmers. The guidance system on his machines was only one of the elements that contributed to his success, but it played a crucial role.
There are a number of major advantages to guidance systems.
Driver fatigue is reduced, leading to longer and more effective operating hours. Overlapping and skips are also reduced or eliminated, depending on the accuracy of the equipment; this, in turn, saves fuel and input material. Over- or under-application of any input material is detrimental to the crop, leading to a drop in yield.
RTK GUIDANCE
The accuracy level determines the results; the higher the accuracy, the higher the saving, but this comes at a cost. Real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning is essentially technology that enhances positional accuracy derived from satellite-based positioning systems; it works by reducing position error with a fixed reference point on Earth. The ±2cm accuracy that RTK offers usually comes at a hefty price, though.
This story is from the March 19, 2021 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 19, 2021 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
R17m donation of tractors, bulls and infrastructure
Small-scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have been given an opportunity to grow into sustainable commercial businesses through a holistic integrated programme that will provide mechanisation, infrastructure and sector expertise.
Top dairy products revealed
Lactalis South Africa has won the South African Dairy Product of the Year Award for six of the past eight years. This year it won with a 10-month-old Gouda made especially for Woolworths.
Poor waste management highlighted on Earth Day
Most of South Africa’s waste ends up in dumps, if not strewn across open spaces or littering streams and oceans.
Kenya hosts soil health summit
The health of African soil was discussed at length by gathering of experts, writes Jeff Kapembwa.
Report shows the impact that heat has on agricultural workers
The UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently released a report showing the impact of climate change on the health of workers.
Factors to bear in mind when dipping livestock
It is important to consider the intervals at which you dip livestock in relation to the specific season in which ticks become more or less, writes Shane Brody.
Good outlook for pome fruit
Varieties of fruit could be the key in growing the pome fruit sector, writes Glenneis Kriel.
Building a sustainable agriculture sector in the Western Cape
Technology, research, financial mentorship and more will be required, writes Marinda Louw Coetzee.
PwC research shows food crisis impact
A new report details how the looming food crisis will affect Africa, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Braaied meat and soft-boiled egg Thai salad
This salad with maize, peanuts and eggs will turn leftover braai meat into a completely different meal. Recipe and photo: South African Poultry Association.