NCGA Members Invited to Take Part in GPS Survey (12-27-05)

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) members are invited to take part in a survey that would result in technology that could make farmers’ operations more efficient through global positioning systems (GPS).

Honeywell International, a technology and manufacturing company, is looking at ways to bring its core aerospace technologies to the precision agriculture industry to further increase the industry’s sophistication and is conducting the grower survey, said Warren Donian, Honeywell marketing manager.

The survey, which takes approximately 10 minutes, asks questions about farmers’ operations and what GPS technology, if any, they use. Farmers who complete the survey are eligible to win a Bose Sounddock/iPod combo, a $500 value.

“Currently, we found a lot of farmers use GPS and precision-guided technology, and we want to determine what role Honeywell’s technologies can play in helping the original equipment manufacturers automate farm equipment,” said Donian.

GPS devices are growing in popularity on U.S. farms. A tool such as a GPS mapping system allows a farmer to record slope of the land and field boundaries. Other tools are able to monitor moisture content or soil moisture remotely.

“GPS devices or automated systems can be very beneficial to a farmer’s operation,” said David Ward, vice chairman of the Production and Stewardship Action Team and a user of GPS mapping. “Any tool that can help a farmer become more efficient and take better care of the land is considered a good thing. The GPS and automated technology for the farm is still in the beginning stages, but we’re interested and curious about the opportunities with GPS with farm equipment.”

Donian said the survey is an opportunity to gain market research.

“We’d like to gauge interest and see what solutions we would have to include,” he said.

NCGA members can click here to take the survey.