Mapping your farm boundary with a phone: practical tips
· Tamalaki Business Network Ltd
Knowing the real size of each plot helps you plan seed, fertiliser and labour, and compare yields fairly between seasons. You can map a boundary with the phone you already have. Here are three ways, and how to get better results.
1. Draw it on the map
Zoom in on the map and tap each corner of the plot. This is quick and works well when the edges are clear on the map, such as roads, fences or tree lines.
2. Walk it with GPS
Walk around the edge of the plot with your phone, recording points as you go. This is best when edges are not visible on the map.
- Turn on location and wait a minute in the open before you start, so the phone gets a good fix.
- Keep the phone in your hand, not in a pocket or bag.
- Walk at a steady pace and pause briefly at each corner.
- Avoid starting under trees or next to tall buildings, where GPS is weaker.
- Check the accuracy your phone reports. A typical phone is often accurate to within a few metres in the open, and worse under cover.
3. Import a GPX or KML file
If you already have a boundary from a surveyor, a GPS device, Google Earth or another app, export it as GPX or KML and import it. This avoids redrawing.
Declared area versus measured area
The area you were told when you bought or leased land is often different from what you measure. Keep both. In FarmMate the measured area is shown next to the area you typed, so you can see the difference.
Small plots need extra care
On a very small plot, an error of a few metres on each side can change the area noticeably. For small plots, walking slowly and pausing at corners, or drawing where edges show clearly on the map, gives the best result.