Farming by GPS a Goodyear Farming Innovation Award Contender

Set the Sat Nav, son, it’s time to plant the crops! Sounds far fetched, but this scenario is not far from becoming reality. Llanystumdwy, North Wales farmer Arthur Parry, who has invented a seed drill that used GPS technology to sow patterns and logos into the ground, has become one of three finalists in the Goodyear Farming Innovation Award 2008.

“Exploring diversification with new crops inspired me to look at other innovations which could help to revolutionise our farming business,” said Parry. “I came up with the idea of tying together farming and marketing by developing a new seed drill, which works off a laptop, with specially developed software. The software sends signals to individual spouts on a seed drill, and sows logos and patterns into fields across the UK.”

Kate Rock, Goodyear Farm Tyres communications specialist, commented that the company was “particularly impressed with Arthur’s entry.” The overall winner will be decided on October 11. If his GPS sower wins first prize, Parry will win £3,500 worth of Goodyear farm tyres for his product.