GPS is the best way to spread fertiliser accurately, removing human error from the process. Differing levels of accuracy and technology are available, from the simple light bar system right up to the top-of-the-range all-singing and dancing auto-steer system.

Craig England of Topcon Ireland said that they are supplying high-end systems to farmers and contractors who want to improve their accuracy and profitability. The rate at which this technology is moving forward is mind-blowing.

GPS guidance systems are available from Topcon for both manual and automated steering, with accuracies from free to air EGNOS, TopNet D 5cm. and up to RTK 2cm.

The fact that all mid- to higher-range systems from Topcon are now Isobus-compliant means that a large number of the main manufacturers’ machines can be connected directly to the controller, reducing the requirement for a number of control boxes in the cab.

As with all Isobus-compliant systems, they have only in the most recent iteration become bug-free and easy to set up.

Amazone is now using a Topcon X35 as the screen for its top-end spreaders. It is called the Amopad 2. This shows that the manufacturers are seeing the advantages of getting involved with the guidance companies to get the most out of their spreaders. The main function that can be set up on the spreader from the control screen is the rate setting on the move. This can be done in a few different ways.

1. Manually: this is where the operator can set the required rate per hectare before he starts but can also change it according to a visible inspection of the crop on the move. An example would be lowering the rate if entering a known wet spot so as to not waste fertiliser when the yield potential is not there.

2. Prescriptive: this is when a yield map and/or a soil nutrient requirement map has been loaded into the system and the rate will be adjusted on the move according to the yield potential and nutrient requirement.

3. Sensor: Topcon has an N sensor called the Cropspec. This can be used to guide the system, and therefore the spreader, as the nitrogen requirement of the crop changes on the move. These sensors are mounted on the cab of the tractor and Topcon claims that two correctly mounted sensors can cover a large area in front of the tractor, giving precise application with a 24m spread width.

On the prescriptive front, there is new technology coming down the road where this information can be uploaded remotely, meaning that there will be no need for a USB stick to be carried around.

It will be as simple as sitting at the farm computer and sending the day’s spreading maps to the unit before you start. This will also bring an advantage during the working day as new maps can be sent to an operator as they are required.

Currently, all these systems can be accessed remotely for fault-finding by technicians. Leslie Scott of Topcon claims that nine out of 10 problems can be fixed due to the fact that he can remotely access the unit if a talk-through fix on the phone has not been successful.

Whenever a spreading job is finished, a colour coded map is produced of the rate that has been spread, and a table of the productivity and time spent at the job. This data can then be entered into all the major farm planning and record-keeping programs.

Once the remote connectivity is working in conjunction with Topcon Agricultural Platform (TAP), this data will be directly sent to your cloud-based storage for your use back in the office for compliance and future planning.

GPS and fertiliser spreading go hand in hand, as once the spreaders became wider than 12m, the human eye was not capable of getting the accuracy required.

From the simple manual guidance with manual rate control to the top of the range Autosteer with rate control and section control, there is a system that can improve fertiliser utilisation on farms of any size.

Bargain

Topcon can supply a simple manual guidance system with its smallest screen, the X14. Linked to its lower-spec roof-mounted antenna, this system will give enough accuracy for the majority of grass-based systems and smaller tillage operations (10-30cm). This system can be upgraded to give up to 10 section control if required but a higher-specification screen and antenna are preferable. The price for this system starts at €1,500 plus VAT. The next step up the GPS ladder is the larger X25 screen with the same antenna. This system will also give manual guidance with the same accuracy but the screen will allow full Isobus control of any compliant implement. This system starts at €3,400 plus VAT.

Top end

At the top end of the market, autosteer is where the market is going. Seven per cent of tractors being sold in Ireland are being sold with some element of guidance on them. When this is compared with nearly 94% of new machines in the Netherlands, it shows that we have a long way to go to get up to speed on this technology. To get a tractor fitted with aftermarket autosteer will cost a minimum of €10,500 plus VAT. This will get you a Topcon X25 screen with the upgraded AGI-4 antenna. If you require all the bells and whistles, it will cost upwards of €18,000 plus VAT for the largest screen, the X35, with the AGI-4 antenna and either modem or radio capability to access RTK accuracy (2-5cm).