ABSTRACT
Global Positioning (Systems) technology (GPS) makes it possible for farmers to measure yields and responses to management practices within their own fields. With GPS it is possible to take numerous measurements of yield or environmental conditions, combine them with computer-aided data collection, and prepare maps of yield or site characteristics. Precision-farming technology developed in North America and Australia because of a need to optimize returns from inputs such as fertilizers (Davenport and Hattendorf, 2000; Hoskinson et al., 2000) and pesticides. In northwestern Europe, precision farming was further driven by environmental concerns, such as excess nutrients and chemicals resulting from intensive agricultural practices affecting water quality.
