Field Coverage Tracking: How GPS Eliminates Acreage Disputes and Proves Your Work

James Thompson had just completed a 160-acre fertilizer spreading job for a long-time client. The work took two full days, the application was perfect, and he sent his invoice: 160 acres at £18/acre = £2,880.

Three days later, his phone rang.

"James, I think there's a mistake on your invoice. You're charging for 160 acres, but I'm pretty sure that field is only 135 acres. Can you adjust the invoice?"

James knew he'd worked the full field. He remembered the GPS boundaries, the application rate, the hours it took. But he had no way to prove what he'd actually covered beyond his word against the client's estimate.

After an uncomfortable conversation, he reduced the invoice to £2,430 (135 acres) to preserve the client relationship. He lost £450 on a job he knew he'd done correctly—but couldn't prove.

This scenario happens thousands of times annually across agricultural contracting. Industry surveys suggest 15-20% of contractors experience billing disputes monthly, typically over:

"You didn't spray that many acres"
"I think you're double-counting overlaps"
"My field isn't that large"
"You must have included the headland twice"

Each dispute costs money, damages relationships, and creates stress. Large disputes can end in lost clients or even legal action.

Average cost per dispute: £400-2,000 (reduced invoice or lost payment)
Contractors with monthly disputes: 15-20% of industry
Annual cost to affected contractors: £4,800-24,000

But there's a solution that completely eliminates acreage disputes: GPS coverage tracking.

Modern farm management systems record the exact GPS trail of equipment during work, calculate precise coverage area, and generate visual maps showing exactly what was covered. The result: Indisputable proof of work completed.

Here's how GPS coverage tracking is transforming agricultural contracting, eliminating billing disputes, and providing professional documentation that clients value.

The Billing Accuracy Problem

Let's start by understanding why acreage disputes happen and what they cost:

Why Disputes Occur

1. Clients Don't Actually Know Their Field Size

Many farmers have never precisely measured their fields. They have rough estimates:

"That field is about 80 acres" (actually 91 acres)
"The home field is 120 acres" (actually 107 acres)
Based on old government records (before field boundaries changed)
Passed down estimates ("Dad always said it was 60 acres")

When contractor bills actual worked acreage, client disputes based on inaccurate estimate.

2. Headlands and Odd Shapes

Fields aren't perfect rectangles. Irregular boundaries, curves, and headland areas create confusion:

Do you count the headland in acreage?
Is the wooded corner included?
Triangular end sections add up differently than expected

Contractor calculates one way, client another. Disagreement inevitable.

3. Overlap Assumptions

Agricultural work requires some overlap between passes. Client assumptions:

"You must have counted overlaps twice"
"Overlaps shouldn't be billable"
"That inflates your acres"

Contractor knows proper application requires overlap, client sees it as padding the bill.

4. Memory vs. Reality

Without documentation, disputes are memory-based:

"I'm pretty sure you didn't do the east section"
"I don't think you covered as much as you're claiming"
Good-faith disagreement about what actually happened

Neither party has evidence, relationship suffers.

5. Honest Contractor Mistakes

Sometimes contractors do make errors:

Recording wrong field acreage
Transposing numbers
Accidentally billing field twice
Using wrong field size in calculation

Without documentation, can't verify whether dispute is legitimate or not.

Cost of Disputes

Direct Financial Cost:

Small dispute (£300-600): Absorb loss to preserve client relationship
Medium dispute (£800-1,500): Negotiate compromise, both parties unhappy
Large dispute (£2,000+): Risk losing client or legal action

Example Operation:
8 disputes annually averaging £850 each = £6,800 annually lost to billing disputes

Relationship Cost:

Client trust damaged
Awkward conversations
Stress for both parties
Risk of losing client
Negative word-of-mouth

Time Cost:

Phone calls discussing dispute: 30-90 minutes per incident
Documentation gathering (if possible): 1-2 hours
Emotional energy: Significant

Administrative Cost:

Revised invoices
Credit memos
Bookkeeping adjustments
Additional client communication

Total Annual Cost: £8,000-25,000 for contractors experiencing regular disputes

The Professional Reputation Impact

Beyond financial cost, inability to prove work completed affects professional reputation:

"That contractor overcharges"
"I always have to argue with their invoices"
"They must be padding their numbers"

Fair or not, contractors without documentation develop reputation for inaccurate billing.

GPS Coverage Tracking: How It Works

GPS coverage tracking records precise equipment location throughout work, calculates exact coverage, and generates visual documentation. Here's the system:

During Work: Automatic GPS Trail Recording

What Happens:

Operator starts job in app
GPS begins recording equipment location continuously (every 10-30 seconds)
As operator works field, GPS trail shows exact path traveled
System records: Location, timestamp, speed, direction
Works automatically—operator just does the work

No Additional Work Required: GPS tracking is automatic during job. Operator doesn't need to do anything special.

Offline Capable: GPS trail recorded even without cell coverage, uploads when connection returns.

After Work: Automatic Coverage Calculation

What the System Calculates:

Total area covered (accounting for equipment width)
Equipment path (visible as lines on map)
Overlaps (shown but not double-counted)
Gaps (missing coverage areas identified)
Total time (start to finish)
Average speed

Coverage Calculation Method:

GPS trail + Equipment width = Coverage area

Example:
- GPS trail: 12.4 miles
- Equipment width: 60 feet (sprayer boom)
- Coverage: 12.4 miles × 60 feet = 91.4 acres

Accuracy: 95-98% accurate for billing purposes (GPS + equipment width calculation)

Visual Documentation: Map Showing What Was Covered

Generated Report Includes:

Satellite imagery of field
GPS trail overlay (shows exact path traveled)
Color-coded coverage (green = covered, white = not covered)
Field boundary outline
Calculated acreage
Date, time, operator name
Equipment used
Any application rates or specifications

Visual Proof: Client can SEE exactly what was covered. No ambiguity, no disagreement.

Example Report:

Morrison Farm - North Field
Fertilizer Spreading - April 15, 2025
Operator: James Thompson
Equipment: Spreader #2 (40ft width)

GPS Coverage: 87.3 acres
Time: 8:43 AM - 12:17 PM
Application Rate: 250 lbs/acre

[Satellite image showing green GPS trails covering field]

Client Communication: Sharing Proof

Professional Documentation:

PDF report generated automatically
Emailable directly from system
Attached to invoice
Stored permanently for future reference

Proactive Approach:

Send coverage report WITH invoice (before any question arises)
Client sees proof before they even wonder
Eliminates disputes preemptively

Dispute Resolution:

If question arises, coverage report provides instant answer
Visual evidence typically ends conversation immediately
"Here's the GPS map showing exact coverage"
Dispute resolved in minutes, not hours

Benefits Beyond Dispute Prevention

GPS coverage tracking delivers value beyond just eliminating billing conflicts:

1. Accurate Billing Every Time

Eliminates Guesswork:

Don't rely on memory or rough estimates
Don't try to calculate irregular field shapes mentally
Don't wonder if you counted correctly

System calculates exactly: No human error in acreage calculation

Example: Contractor switches from estimated billing to GPS-tracked billing. Discovers:

Some fields billed 5-10% under actual coverage (losing money)
Other fields billed 5-8% over actual coverage (unfair to client)
GPS tracking ensures accuracy both directions

Result: Fair, accurate billing. Client trust increases.

2. Professional Documentation

Presentation Matters:

GPS coverage reports look professional
Satellite imagery impressive
Timestamped, geo-located proof
Technology-forward image

Client Perception:

"This contractor is organized and professional"
"They have proof of their work"
"I can trust their billing"

Competitive Advantage: Contractors with GPS documentation perceived as more professional than those without.

3. Productivity Analysis

GPS Data Shows:

How long each field actually takes
Average coverage rate (acres/hour)
Efficiency by operator
Efficiency by field condition
Actual vs. estimated job time

Use Data For:

More accurate job estimates
Identifying training opportunities
Equipment performance comparison
Pricing optimization

Example: GPS data shows experienced operator averages 32 acres/hour, new operator 24 acres/hour. Identifies training need and explains job duration differences.

4. Quality Control

GPS Coverage Reveals:

Missed areas (gaps in coverage)
Excessive overlap (efficiency issue)
Edge quality (how well field perimeter covered)
Pattern consistency

Manager Benefits:

Review work quality without being present
Identify operators needing coaching
Catch issues before client does
Maintain consistent quality standards

Example: GPS coverage shows operator consistently missing small triangle sections in field corners. Manager provides specific coaching: "GPS shows you're missing these corner areas." Problem corrected.

5. Regulatory Compliance

UK Requirements (Spray Records):

Red Tractor requires documented spray records
Must prove what was sprayed, where, when
GPS coverage provides this automatically

US Requirements (State Regulations):

Various states require pesticide application records
GPS coverage documents application area precisely
Audit-ready compliance

Insurance Claims:

Prove work was done if claim arises
Demonstrate proper application
Support liability defense

Example: Client claims contractor damaged crop with over-application. GPS coverage shows proper application rate, proper coverage, no overlaps. Contractor protected.

6. Equipment Utilization Tracking

GPS Shows:

Actual working time vs. total time
Travel time between fields
Idle time
Maintenance time

Use Data For:

Equipment ROI calculation
Utilization rate improvement
Job scheduling optimization
Equipment purchase decisions

Example: GPS data shows sprayer only actively spraying 64% of total time. Remaining 36% is travel, filling, maintenance. Operator schedule adjusted to increase utilization to 72%. Additional revenue captured.

Real-World Case Studies

Case Study 1: Contractor - Dispute Elimination

Operation: Davies Contracting, UK
Previous Dispute Rate: 8-10 annually
Average Dispute Cost: £650
Annual Cost: £5,200-6,500

The Problem:

Billing based on field boundaries and equipment width calculations
Clients frequently questioned acreage (especially irregular fields)
Some disputes turned confrontational
One major client lost over acreage disagreement
Contractor reputation suffering

GPS Implementation:

Added GPS coverage tracking to all jobs
Generated coverage reports for every client job
Sent GPS coverage map with every invoice proactively

Results Year 1:

Disputes: 8-10 annually → 1 (and resolved immediately with GPS proof)
Dispute cost: £5,200-6,500 → £0
Client compliments: "We love seeing the GPS maps, very professional"
Lost client returned: "Glad you have GPS now, let's work together again"
Two new clients specifically cited GPS documentation as reason for choosing Davies

Financial Impact:

Dispute elimination: £5,200-6,500 saved
Accurate billing: £2,400 additional revenue (was under-billing some irregular fields)
New client revenue: £8,400
Total value Year 1: £16,000-17,300
Software cost: £2,268 (Medium plan)
ROI: 606-663%

Quote from owner Robert Davies: "GPS coverage tracking changed our business. We went from having awkward conversations about billing every month to clients complimenting our professional documentation. The maps look impressive, provide proof, and eliminate disagreements. I should have done this years ago."

Case Study 2: Custom Harvester - Payment Recovery

Operation: Thompson Custom Harvesting, US
Incident: Major payment dispute

The Situation:

Completed 280-acre wheat harvest for new client
Invoiced £12,600 (280 acres at £45/acre)
Client refused payment: "You didn't harvest 280 acres. I only have 230 acres of wheat."
Standoff: Contractor word vs. client word
£12,600 at risk

GPS to the Rescue:

Contractor had GPS coverage tracking from season
Generated coverage report showing exact harvest area
Satellite imagery clearly showed 280 acres harvested
Timestamped, geo-located proof
Sent to client with polite explanation

Client Response (48 hours later):

"I apologize. Your GPS data is correct. I was confusing two different fields. Payment sent."
Full £12,600 payment received
Relationship preserved
Client impressed with documentation

Without GPS: Likely would have negotiated compromise payment (£10,000-11,000) and lost £1,600-2,600. Or lost entire payment and client.

Quote from owner Michael Thompson: "GPS coverage tracking saved us £12,600. Without that GPS proof, we would have had to eat some of that loss or fight over it for months. The GPS map ended the disagreement in two days. Worth every penny."

Case Study 3: UK Contractor - Audit Success

Operation: Morrison Agricultural Services
Compliance: Red Tractor certification
Audit: Annual Red Tractor compliance audit

Requirements:

Documented spray records for all chemical applications
Proof of what was sprayed, where, when, at what rate
Weather conditions during application
Operator identification

Traditional Approach:

Paper spray records (handwritten job sheets)
Operator fills out after completing work
Stored in filing cabinet
Often incomplete or illegible
Finding specific records difficult
Auditor spending 2-3 hours reviewing

GPS-Documented Approach:

Every spray job GPS tracked automatically
Coverage maps generated
Weather conditions captured automatically
All data stored digitally, searchable
Can pull any job record in 30 seconds

Audit Results:

Auditor impressed: "Best documentation I've seen"
Audit time: 2-3 hours → 45 minutes
Zero compliance issues found
GPS coverage provided proof above requirements

Additional Value:

Client dispute (coincidentally during audit week): GPS coverage resolved in 10 minutes
Auditor witnessed dispute resolution: "This is exactly why digital documentation matters"
Red Tractor certification renewed with commendation

Quote: "The auditor said our GPS-based spray documentation was the most professional record-keeping they'd seen. We passed the audit easily, and the GPS coverage tracking had already paid for itself from eliminating billing disputes earlier in the year."

Case Study 4: Large Farm - Internal Quality Control

Operation: Henderson Farms, Iowa
Scale: 5,200 acres, 12 operators
Challenge: Ensuring consistent work quality across large team

Quality Issues:

Some operators occasionally missed field edges
Corner triangles sometimes skipped
Inconsistent overlap practices
No way to verify quality without physically inspecting every field

GPS Solution:

GPS coverage tracking on all equipment
Manager reviews coverage maps daily
Identifies quality issues immediately
Provides specific coaching

Results:

Edge quality improved 35% (measured by GPS coverage of field perimeters)
Gaps eliminated 90% (few missed areas)
Operator accountability increased (know work is documented)
Training improved (specific GPS-based feedback)

Example Coaching:

"GPS shows you're consistently missing the northeast corners. Let's look at the map together and discuss how to improve coverage in those triangular sections."
Specific, visual, data-based feedback

Financial Impact:

Reduced need for field re-visits: 8 annually → 1 = £1,120 saved
Improved quality = better crop outcomes = £8,000-12,000 estimated value
Operator efficiency improved (better patterns shown in GPS data)

Quote from farm manager: "GPS coverage tracking makes invisible work visible. I can review every field every operator works without being physically present. Quality has improved measurably, and operators know their work is documented, which increases care and attention."

Implementation: Adding GPS Coverage Tracking

Implementing GPS coverage tracking is straightforward. Here's the process:

Step 1: Equipment Width Setup

One-Time Configuration:

Record exact working width of each piece of equipment
Sprayer: Boom width (e.g., 60 feet)
Spreader: Spread width (e.g., 40 feet)
Planter: Number of rows × row spacing (e.g., 12 rows × 30 inches = 30 feet)
Combine: Header width (e.g., 36 feet)
Fertilizer applicator: Application width

Enter in System:

Equipment database stores widths
System uses for coverage calculation
Update if equipment changes

Time: 10 minutes total

Step 2: Enable GPS Tracking

System Setting:

Enable GPS trail recording during jobs
Set recording frequency (usually 10-30 seconds)
Configure offline data storage (for areas without coverage)

Operator Training:

Start job in app (GPS tracking begins automatically)
Work normally
Complete job in app (GPS tracking stops, coverage calculated)

Time: 15 minutes training per operator

Step 3: Test and Verify

First Job:

Operator completes job with GPS tracking
System generates coverage report
Review report for accuracy
Compare GPS acreage to known field size
Verify report looks professional

Calibration:

If acreage significantly off, verify equipment width entered correctly
Check GPS accuracy (should be within 5%)
Adjust if needed

Time: 30 minutes to verify first job

Step 4: Integrate into Standard Practice

New Process:

Every job GPS tracked
Coverage report generated automatically
Reports attached to invoices
Stored for future reference

Operator Workflow:

Receive job assignment
Navigate to field
Start job (GPS begins recording)
Complete work
Mark job complete (GPS stops, coverage calculated)
Move to next job

Additional Time: Zero—GPS tracking automatic during normal work

Step 5: Client Communication

Proactive Documentation:

Include GPS coverage map with every invoice
Brief explanation: "GPS coverage map showing exact area worked"
Makes professional impression
Prevents questions before they arise

Template Email:

Hi [Client],

Attached is your invoice for [job description] completed on [date].

Also attached is GPS coverage map showing exact area worked: 87.3 acres.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best regards,
[Contractor]

Client Response: Almost always positive. Professional, transparent, builds trust.

Technology: GPS Coverage Accuracy

How Coverage is Calculated

GPS Trail + Equipment Width = Coverage Area

Example Calculation:

GPS records equipment path: 8.2 miles
Equipment width: 60 feet
Coverage: 8.2 miles × 5,280 feet/mile × 60 feet = 2,597,760 square feet
Divide by 43,560 square feet/acre = 59.6 acres

Overlap Handling:

System tracks where equipment has already been
Doesn't double-count overlapped areas
Shows overlap visually but calculates accurately

Gap Handling:

Identifies areas within field boundary not covered
Subtracts from total if significant
Visual map shows gaps for quality control

Accuracy Expectations

GPS Position Accuracy:

Smartphone GPS: 5-10 meters (16-33 feet)
Professional GPS: 1-2 meters (3-7 feet)

Coverage Calculation Accuracy:

Typical accuracy: 95-98% for billing purposes
Factors affecting accuracy:
- GPS accuracy
- Equipment width precision
- Recording frequency
- Field edge treatment

Comparison to Other Methods:

Visual estimation: 70-85% accurate
Memory-based: 60-80% accurate
Field boundary calculation: 85-92% accurate (doesn't account for unworked areas)
GPS coverage tracking: 95-98% accurate

Sufficient for Billing: Yes. 95-98% accuracy means:

100-acre field: 95-98 acres calculated
2-5% variance well within acceptable range
Far more accurate than any other practical method

Legal Standing: GPS coverage documentation holds up in disputes. Timestamp, geo-location, and satellite imagery provide credible evidence.

Limitations and Considerations

GPS Doesn't Work Perfectly:

Heavy tree cover reduces accuracy
Deep valleys with limited sky view
During severe weather (rarely significant)

Solution: Most agricultural fields have clear sky view. GPS accuracy sufficient 99%+ of the time.

Equipment Width Accuracy:

Must know exact working width
Adjustable equipment (e.g., variable boom widths) needs tracking
Overlap practices affect calculation

Solution: Record equipment widths accurately, update if changed.

Field Edges:

GPS may show equipment path outside field boundary (headland turns)
System should clip coverage to field boundary

Solution: Good systems handle this automatically. Coverage only within field boundary counted.

UK vs US Considerations

UK-Specific Coverage Tracking Factors

Red Tractor Compliance:

GPS coverage documentation exceeds spray record requirements
Auditors impressed with GPS-based records
Timestamp and geo-location satisfy compliance needs

Smaller Fields:

UK fields generally smaller than US (20-100 acres vs. 100-500+ acres)
Accuracy still important even at smaller scale
Irregular field shapes common (GPS coverage handles well)

RPA Field Mapping:

GPS coverage can be exported for RPA submissions
Helpful for subsidy applications
Field boundary verification

US-Specific Coverage Tracking Factors

FSA Compliance:

GPS coverage documentation can support FSA reporting
Acreage verification for crop insurance
Helpful for conservation practice documentation

Larger Fields:

200-500 acre fields common in Midwest
GPS coverage tracking even more valuable at scale
Billing disputes over larger amounts

Custom Harvester Travel:

GPS coverage proves work completed across states
Client contracts often specify acreage minimums
Documentation protects both parties

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Investment

Software Cost:

Free plan: £0 (includes basic GPS tracking)
Small Team: £79/month = £948/year
Medium: £189/month = £2,268/year
Already using farm management software? GPS coverage usually included

Setup Time:

Equipment width recording: 10 minutes
System configuration: 15 minutes
Training: 15 minutes per operator
Total: 1-2 hours one-time

Ongoing Time:

Zero additional work (automatic during jobs)
Reviewing coverage reports: 5 minutes per report (optional)

Year 1 Investment: £948-2,268 (if not on free plan)

Returns

Dispute Elimination:

Average contractor with disputes: 6-10 annually
Average cost per dispute: £600-1,200
Value: £3,600-12,000 annually

Accurate Billing:

Eliminate under-billing: £1,500-3,000 annually (typical recovery for contractors who discover they were under-billing some fields)
Eliminate over-billing complaints: Priceless (client trust)

Professional Documentation:

Client retention improvement: Hard to quantify, but meaningful
New client attraction: Some clients specifically choose contractors with GPS documentation
Estimated value: £2,000-5,000 annually (client acquisition and retention)

Productivity Analysis:

Better job estimates from real data
Operator efficiency improvement
Equipment utilization optimization
Estimated value: £1,500-4,000 annually

Total Annual Value: £8,600-24,000

ROI: 379-2,432% (depending on operation size and plan)

Break-Even

Free plan: Immediate (no cost)
Paid plan: After preventing 1-2 billing disputes (typically Month 1-2)

Addressing Common Objections

"We've never had billing disputes"

Fortunate! GPS coverage tracking still provides:

Professional documentation (impressive to clients)
Accurate billing (might discover you're under-billing some fields)
Productivity data (acres/hour for better estimating)
Quality control (verify complete coverage)
Regulatory compliance (spray records, etc.)

Even without disputes, ROI comes from these other benefits.

"Seems like we're not trusting clients"

Reframe: GPS coverage tracking protects BOTH parties.

Clients appreciate proof because:

Eliminates their uncertainty (they know exactly what they're paying for)
Professional documentation impressive
Visual maps interesting
Builds trust through transparency

Present as: "We provide GPS documentation so you have proof of exactly what we did" not "We need to protect ourselves from you."

"What if GPS shows we didn't cover whole field?"

Then you know, and can fix it before invoicing. Better to discover coverage gap yourself than have client point it out later.

GPS coverage is quality control—helps you ensure work is complete before client sees result.

"Is GPS data private or do clients own it?"

You own the GPS data. You choose what to share with clients.

Typical: Share coverage map and acreage calculation. Don't share productivity metrics or other business data.

Legal: GPS data you generate is your business record. No different than any other documentation you create.

"What about irregular fields that are hard to calculate?"

GPS coverage excels at irregular fields!

Traditional methods struggle with:

L-shaped fields
Triangular sections
Curved boundaries
Partial fields with obstacles

GPS coverage tracks EXACTLY what was worked, regardless of field shape. Irregular fields are where GPS provides most value.

Conclusion: Proof as Professional Standard

Agricultural contracting is evolving. Clients increasingly expect professional documentation of work completed. Verbal assurances and memory-based billing are no longer sufficient.

GPS coverage tracking provides:

✅ Proof of work completed - Visual map showing exact coverage
✅ Accurate billing - System calculates precise acreage
✅ Dispute elimination - Evidence ends disagreements immediately
✅ Professional documentation - Impressive, technology-forward image
✅ Quality control - Verify complete coverage
✅ Productivity data - Real metrics for improvement
✅ Regulatory compliance - Audit-ready documentation

The Numbers:

Disputes eliminated: £3,600-12,000 value annually
Accurate billing: £1,500-3,000 additional revenue
Professional reputation: £2,000-5,000 client retention/acquisition value
Total annual value: £8,600-24,000
Software cost: £0-2,268
ROI: 379-2,432%

The Reality:
Operations with GPS coverage documentation:

Experience virtually zero acreage billing disputes
Present professional, trustworthy image
Build client confidence through transparency
Protect themselves from false claims

Operations without GPS documentation:

Vulnerable to disputes (15-20% experience monthly)
Lack proof when disagreements arise
Appear less professional
Lose thousands annually to reduced invoices

GPS coverage tracking is becoming the professional standard in agricultural contracting.

Don't just tell clients what you did. Prove it with GPS.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is GPS coverage tracking for billing?

GPS coverage tracking is 95-98% accurate, which is more than sufficient for billing purposes. This accuracy level means a 100-acre field would be calculated as 95-98 acres—well within acceptable variance. This is far more accurate than visual estimation (70-85%) or memory-based billing (60-80%). The combination of GPS position data and equipment width provides reliable acreage calculations that both contractors and clients can trust.

What if client still disputes GPS data?

Extremely rare. GPS data is timestamped, geo-located, and includes satellite imagery—very credible evidence. In the few cases where clients question GPS data, showing them the visual coverage map usually resolves it immediately. They can see exactly what was covered. If dispute continues, GPS documentation has legal standing. In practice, 99%+ of coverage reports are accepted without question.

Do we need special GPS equipment or will smartphones work?

Smartphones are sufficient for coverage tracking. Modern smartphones provide 5-10 meter GPS accuracy, which is adequate for acreage calculation. Professional GPS units (1-2 meter accuracy) provide slightly better precision but aren't necessary for billing purposes. The marginal accuracy improvement doesn't justify the equipment cost (£800-2,000+ per unit) for most agricultural operations. Smartphone GPS has proven reliable for tens of thousands of agricultural contractors.

Can GPS coverage be manipulated or faked?

Theoretically possible but practically difficult and unwise. GPS coverage reports include timestamps, satellite imagery background, and geo-location data that would be very difficult to fake convincingly. More importantly, reputable contractors don't need to manipulate data—accurate billing is in everyone's interest. The GPS system protects honest contractors from false claims, not as a tool for deception. Most farm management systems include security features preventing data manipulation.

What about fields with poor GPS coverage?

Most agricultural fields have excellent GPS coverage due to open sky visibility. GPS satellites provide signal from space—doesn't require cell towers or WiFi. Areas with potential GPS challenges: Heavy forest canopy, deep valleys with limited sky view, urban areas with tall buildings (rare in agriculture). In practice, 99%+ of agricultural fields have sufficient GPS reception. If GPS data quality is poor, system typically flags it so you know not to rely on that particular coverage report.

How long is GPS coverage data stored?

Most farm management systems store GPS coverage data permanently or for several years minimum. This is valuable for: Historical reference, multi-year client relationships, audits, dispute resolution (even months later), productivity analysis over time. Storage is cloud-based and unlimited for practical purposes—thousands of coverage reports take minimal data space. You should have access to any coverage report from any job going back years.

Eliminate billing disputes and prove your work with GPS coverage tracking. Start your free 30-day trial →

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