Precision Farming RTK

Precision Farming RTK

Precision farming RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) is a satellite system that allows farm machinery to determine its location with an accuracy of 2-3 centimetres. Thanks to a network of ground stations that correct GPS signals, tractors and combines can traverse fields with virtually no driver input, performing work with surgical precision.

How it works in practice

Standard GPS, which we use in our phones, has an error margin of 2 to 7 metres. For a field, that's catastrophic - imagine a tractor swaying several metres side to side during sowing. RTK solves this problem through base stations. They're positioned at precisely known coordinates and constantly compare what the satellites show against reality.

The difference between the signal and fact is transmitted to the machinery's receiver via radio or mobile internet. Updates come every second, so the tractor always knows where it actually is. The driver can focus on other tasks - checking work quality, adjusting ploughing depth, or simply having a coffee.

The economics

First and most obvious - overlaps disappear. Previously, drivers would cover already-treated strips "with margin" to ensure not a single metre was missed. With RTK, machinery runs edge to edge, saving up to 15% of seeds during sowing. For a large farm, that's hundreds of thousands per season.

Same applies to fertilisers and chemicals. If previously some crop protection products went to overlaps, now every penny counts. Plus fuel - optimal routes without unnecessary passes give around 10% savings. With current diesel prices, that's significant too.

Who's already using it

The global precision farming market in 2024 is valued at $13.11 billion. By 2029, that figure should nearly double to $23.84 billion. These aren't just analysts' forecasts, but reality that farmers worldwide are witnessing.

RTK is no longer exotic. Large agricultural holdings installed systems several years ago. Now the technology is reaching medium-sized farms. Services have emerged where you can rent RTK signal without purchasing your own base station - this lowers the entry barrier for smaller farmers.

Where it's applied

RTK works across all operations. Ploughing - furrows run parallel with centimetre accuracy. Sowing - rows are straight, depth uniform across the entire field. Crop treatment - machinery travels between rows without touching plants even at 15-20 km/h.

Field mapping is a separate story. The system records all coordinates during work. This data is then used for planning: where to apply more fertiliser, where less, which areas need special attention. This is already a step towards differentiated farming, where every square metre of field receives exactly what it needs.

Technical nuances

You need a GNSS receiver on the machinery and connection to a base station. The station must be within a 30-40 kilometre radius - beyond that, accuracy drops. In some regions this might be problematic, but commercial RTK networks are developing rapidly.

Another point - RTK doesn't work miracles where satellite coverage is poor. Near tall buildings or in deep gullies, accuracy can decrease. But for typical open fields, it's not an issue. The sky is clearly visible, satellites are received, the system works reliably.