GPS systems to help farmers obey EU laws

SATELLITE-based technology on modern machinery can help farmers to meet their cross-compliance environmental obligations under the European Union's new single payment system.

This became clear at the opening of the three-day Farm Machinery Show at the Punchestown Event Centre in Co Kildare yesterday where machines of mass cultivation with space age features were among the €20 million worth of exhibits on view.

Global positioning systems (GPS), a satellite navigation technology that has become a popular feature on modern machinery, can electronically help farmers and agricultural contractors to plan much of their field work with precision accuracy.

Minister of State John Browne, who officially opened the show, said technology is now playing an increasing role in efficient machinery operation and in ensuring that any potential environmental damage caused by farming can be minimised.

"These systems are very common among larger farmers and contractors involved in fertiliser spreading as it allows accurate spreading of valuable nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus thus reducing run-off and leaching," he said.

Mr Browne said developments in spraying equipment have allowed for significant reductions in the use of fungicides and herbicides.

But it is in the area of slurry disposal and land spreading that probably the biggest environmental concerns arise and whilst injection systems are widely-used on the continent they have not been pursued to the same extent in Ireland.

He said he looked forward to ongoing technological advances assisting farmers meet many of their obligations under the cross-compliance requirements.

"It is essential that proper training be in place for operators so that they can achieve maximum output from their machinery. Suppliers of farm machinery must also offer a fast and efficient maintenance service to minimise machine downtime," said Mr Brown.

A combine harvester valued at nearly €300,000 and tractors build in India and Korea were among the exhibits at the show which continues today and tomorrow.

Paddy Magee from Ardee, Co Louth, was presented with the inaugural gold medal award by the FTMTA in recognition of his services to the farm machinery sector.