The Influence of Auto-Steer on Machinery Selection and Land Acquisition

With the growing advancements in technology increasingly available to farmers, there is a need to recognize this influence when making farm management decisions. This study investigated the influence of auto-steer navigation on machinery selection and land investment decisions by developing a multifaceted machinery management model. The results indicated that the addition of auto-steer allows for the purchase of smaller machinery while increasing net returns and lowering machinery costs. In addition, results indicated that auto-steer can also be purchased in lieu of larger machinery to support land expansion. Therefore, autosteer should be considered when making farm management decisions.