An overview of developments in precision farming systems

Summary form only given. This paper provides an overview of the rapidly developing field of precision fanning. The main precision farming applications commercially available today, including spatial soil testing and variable rate application of fertilizers, variable rate spraying, and yield monitoring, are first introduced. The key enabling technologies - GPS, microprocessor-based control systems, electronic sensors, GIS, and decision support systems - are then discussed, followed by an outline of the precision farming system of the future. A few pointers to more information on precision farming are also provided.