Which farm/estate mapping systems do you use?

[Pilatus]

I ask the above as the farm where my wife works is considering up dating their mapping program. At the moment they use a Gatekeeper mapping system.
My wife mentioned she is interested in the “Pear Technology”mapping program.
We would be very interested to know what mapping programs you use and the pros and cons of them.

 

[JonL]

PT Mapper (Pear Technology) is far far easier to use than GK mapping but doesn’t do any variable rate stuff, just mapping fields, features etc

 

[Pilatus]

PT Mapper (Pear Technology) is far far easier to use than GK mapping but doesn’t do any variable rate stuff, just mapping fields, features etc

Thanks for your reply, I must ask my wife what features the new system must be capable of doing.

 

[Huno]

Use the DEFRA one because in farming all other maps dont count!!

 

[ajd132]

The land app is very good and free apart from printing/downloading.
gatekeeper mapping needs a phd to work, I lost interest quite quickly in trying to learn how to use it

 

[Huno]

Google maps using the satillite filter are excellent for visual observations and there are free tools on google for measuring distances and areas.. Lots of other mapping tools out there but cross referencing to RPA digital maps is multi functional as it gives field numbers and the payment systems are all referenced to these..

 

[Pilatus]

The land app is very good and free apart from printing/downloading.
gatekeeper mapping needs a phd to work, I lost interest quite quickly in trying to learn how to use it

Slightly off topic.
At harvest , when you may have students helping, do you just give them a map of the different farms you contract farm, and then leave it up to the them how find their way to fields , farm buildings etc.
Today’s large tractors and trailers don’t make a good combination , when one gets lost especially on country lanes with ditches on either side.

 

[ajd132]

Slightly off topic.
At harvest , when you may have students helping, do you just give them a map of the different farms you contract farm, and then leave it up to the them how find their way to fields , farm buildings etc.
Today’s large tractors and trailers don’t make a good combination , when one gets lost especially on country lanes with ditches on either side.

I make a map book every year. Tracks all marked on it. Current years cropping and the following year (for drilling). Also a list of numbers like dealers, hose guy, mobile mechanic etc.
We don’t really have harvest students though, we have a man and tractor who has helped us for years, a local sheep farmer and my 18yr old cousin last year and hopefully next harvest so they know what they are doing and where to go.

 

[Pilatus]

I make a map book every year. Tracks all marked on it. Current years cropping and the following year (for drilling). Also a list of numbers like dealers, hose guy, mobile mechanic etc.
We don’t really have harvest students though, we have a man and tractor who has helped us for years, a local sheep farmer and my 18yr old cousin last year and hopefully next harvest so they know what they are doing and where to go.

Very efficient

 

[ajd132]

Very efficient

Just makes life easier for me. Give them to spreading and baking contractors aswell.
Few hours in the office before harvest saves innumerable phone calls in harvest when I don’t want to be asked how to get to a field, or they’ve spread muck on the wrong one or something like that.

 

[Pilatus]

Just makes life easier for me. Give them to spreading and baking contractors aswell.
Few hours in the office before harvest saves innumerable phone calls in harvest when I don’t want to be asked how to get to a field, or they’ve spread muck on the wrong one or something like that.

 

[Pilatus]

@ajd132 and @Huno many thanks for your replies.
Rather surprised their haven’t been more posts but may be it’s because I am not actually farming myself anymore.