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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 October 2009
Agriculture in the U.K. has, since the late 1940s, enjoyed government subsidy and insulation from free market forces. However, the post-war philosophy of ‘every acre counts’ no longer holds true in the face of surplus production and a growing public awareness of the countryside and environmental issues. Legislation relating to water pollution, public rights of way and price support mechanisms are all contributory factors to the radical changes which agriculture is undergoing at the present time. Investigations have shown a need within agriculture for the efficient use and handling of data relating to the land, and a need for new technology to exploit the inherent spatial variability of, for example, the soil. This paper will discuss the development of an agricultural vehicle positioning instrument and future research which will address the needs which have been identified.