SATELLITE technology, which helps farmers make the most of their land, has found a new market in local agricultural shows.

Precision Decision, based in Shipton by Beningbrough, uses GPS technology to map farmers’ fields accurate to within 2.5 centimetres, showing where to take soil samples for analysis.

This application of the technology, said sales and support director Clive Blacker, enables them to identify areas which aren’t getting enough nutrients and which areas are getting too much nutrient, so farmers can save money applying fertiliser more precisely.

The business is now using the technology to help save time for the volunteer organisers of the Tockwith Show, who have previously spent days marking out the locations of the stands.

The GPS technology enables the tractor to drive itself around the field, and signal to the organisers exactly where to peg out the stands.

Clive said: “It’s a new application for the system and we’re quite excited about the opportunity. It makes perfect sense if it can do it quicker and more accurately. I think we’re onto a winner.”