Is High Precision Necessary for Agricultural Land Processing: RTK Systems for Small Farms

Modern agriculture is increasingly focusing on precision technologies that optimise resource use and increase productivity. For small farm owners, an important question arises: is it really necessary to invest in high-precision systems, particularly RTK (Real Time Kinematic), or can solutions with lower precision suffice?

In this article, we will examine the main aspects of precision farming technologies, their advantages and disadvantages for small agribusinesses, and analyse in which cases investments in high-precision systems are economically justified.

What is an RTK System and What Precision Does It Provide?

RTK (Real Time Kinematic) is a satellite navigation technology that enhances positioning accuracy to centimetre level. Standard GPS receivers provide accuracy of about 3-5 metres, systems with differential correction (DGPS) up to 30 cm, whilst RTK systems deliver 2-3 cm precision.

The RTK principle involves using a base station located at a fixed point that transmits corrections to a mobile receiver (installed on a tractor or other machinery). These corrections minimise positioning errors caused by atmospheric conditions and other factors.

Advantages of High-Precision Systems for Land Processing

1. Resource Savings

Precision farming significantly reduces overlap between equipment passes. When using an RTK system, overlap is only 2-3 cm, whilst working without automatic steering can result in up to 1 metre of overlap.

This leads to savings in:

• Fuel (5-10%)
• Seeds (up to 7%)
• Fertilisers and plant protection products (up to 15%)

2. Increased Productivity

Automatic steering systems allow:

• Working at higher speeds
• Reducing operator fatigue
• Increasing the working day duration (possibility to work at night or in poor visibility conditions)
• Adhering to optimal agrotechnical timeframes

3. High Quality Work

• Avoiding gaps and overlaps during sowing
• Precise application of fertilisers and plant protection products
• Possibility of sowing in straight rows, which improves crop care

4. Possibility of Implementing Precision Farming Technologies

High positioning accuracy is the foundation for:

• Differentiated fertiliser application
• Sprayer or seeder section control at overlaps
• Local soil cultivation
• Creating and using precise field maps

When is High Precision Actually Necessary?

Types of agricultural operations where precision is critical:

1. Precise sowing of row crops:
   • For sugar beet, sunflower, maize
   • When growing vegetables and precise plant placement
2. Ridge farming technology:
   • Potatoes and other crops where precise row positioning is important
3. Strip seeding:
   • Cereals and leguminous crops using strip-till technology
4. Precise fertiliser application:
   • Local plant feeding
   • Differentiated application based on soil fertility maps
5. Mechanical crop care:
   • Inter-row cultivation, where it is necessary to pass precisely between crop rows

Alternatives to RTK Systems for Small Farms

1. Systems with Differential Corrections (DGPS)

• Accuracy: up to 30 cm
• Cost: significantly lower than RTK
• Does not require a base station
• Suitable for most crop farming operations, except those requiring centimetre precision

2. Systems Using Free Correction Services

• Accuracy: 10-30 cm
• Cost: lower than RTK
• Dependent on the availability and stability of internet connection

3. Parallel Driving Systems Without Automatic Steering

• Accuracy: depends on the operator
• Cost: lowest among automatic systems
• The operator steers the vehicle, guided by a lightbar or display
• Lower productivity than with autopilot, but better than without navigation systems

Economic Analysis: Will an Investment in RTK Pay Off?

Let's consider an example of a farm with an area of 200 hectares:

System Cost:

• Complete RTK system with base station: from £8,500 to £12,500
• DGPS system without base station: from £4,200 to £6,700
• Parallel driving system: from £1,700 to £2,500

Estimated Savings for a Small Farm:

1. Fuel Savings:
   • Up to 10% of total fuel costs when using automatic steering
   • With consumption of 70 l/ha per season and a price of £1.20/l, savings amount to: 200 ha × 70 l/ha × £1.20/l × 10% = £1,680/year
2. Savings on Seeds and Crop Protection Products:
   • Up to 7% when using precision systems
   • With the cost of seeds and crop protection products at £320/ha: 200 ha × £320/ha × 7% = £4,480/year
3. Increased Equipment Productivity:
   • 15-20% due to increased speed and reduced downtime
   • Savings on labour and fuel: approximately £1,200/year
4. Increased Yield:
   • 5-7% due to better plant distribution, absence of gaps and overlaps
   • With an average yield of 5 t/ha and a price of £200/t: 200 ha × 5 t/ha × £200/t × 5% = £10,000/year

Payback Period:

• RTK system: 1.5-2 years
• DGPS system: 1-1.5 years
• Parallel driving system: 0.5-1 year

Recommendations for Different Types of Farms

For Very Small Farms (up to 100 ha):

• Start with a simple parallel driving system
• Consider using RTK system services if high precision is needed for specific operations
• Cooperate with neighbouring farmers for joint purchase and use of a base station

For Medium-sized Farms (100-500 ha):

• Systems with DGPS correction are optimal for most operations
• RTK system is justified when growing high-margin crops (vegetables, industrial crops)
• Combined approach: using RTK for sowing and inter-row cultivation, DGPS for other operations

For Specialised Farms (vegetable growing, potato farming):

• RTK systems are essential for achieving high product quality
• Return on investment is significantly higher due to higher value of produce
• Possibility of implementing additional technologies (yield mapping, differentiated fertilisation)

Conclusions: Do Small Farms Need High Precision?

1. Not every farm needs the highest precision in land processing. The choice of system depends on the specific conditions of the farm, the crops grown, and the technologies used.
2. RTK systems are necessary if:
   • You are growing high-margin crops
   • You use precision sowing technologies
   • You apply inter-row cultivation
   • You use strip-till technologies or ridge farming
   • You plan to implement elements of precision farming
3. Systems with lower precision will be sufficient if:
   • You mainly grow cereals using broadcast methods
   • You use traditional soil cultivation technologies
   • You have a limited budget for implementing new technologies
4. Phased technology implementation is the optimal approach for small farms:
   • Start with simple parallel driving systems
   • Evaluate the economic effect
   • Progress to more complex and precise systems if results are positive

High precision in land processing is an investment in the efficiency and profitability of agricultural production. For small farms, it is important to find a balance between technological excellence and economic feasibility, gradually implementing elements of precision farming taking into account the specific characteristics of the farm.