Company's plans could impact GPS and precision farming

Farm and Ranch June 6, 2011 Agricultural groups are keeping a close eye on developments that they believe could pose a threat to GPS systems used by farmers.

American Farm Bureau Federation spokesman RJ Karney says the situation involves a company called LightSquared - which is developing wireless broadband systems across the U.S.

Karney: “The issue for us coming from the American Farm Bureau is that LightSquared is going to utilize a spectrum that will interfere with the use of precision agriculture that farmers and ranchers use on their combines and tractors.”

Karney says LightSquared has received a conditional waiver from the FCC - allowing it to proceed with some aspects of its project. Other parts are currently on hold due to the concerns about potential GPS interference.

Karney: “What we are asking is for the FCC to take a step back and really look at the impact that this will have if this waiver proceeds for LightSquared on a specific GPS spectrum and frequency.”

In recent years - farmers practicing precision farming have incorporated extensive use of GPS devices. Karney says GPS has greatly increased farmers' efficiency, particularly in decreased use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Other groups expressing concerns with the plan include airline operators, first responders and land surveyors.

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on Northwest Aginfo Net.