Farmer Using Precision Ag Monitor During PlantingSome producers experienced delays this spring as the aurora borealis disrupted the GPS signal to their precision ag machines. Bryan Basher, project manager of the Space Weather Prediction Center at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, explains that the possibility of another disturbance is at an all-time high. The sun follows an 11-year cycle, and peak activity is forecasted for the next several years.

There are steps producers can take to mitigate the impact of solar storms that could disrupt operations. Solar storms are tracked via NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center at spaceweather.gov. By signing up for notifications, farmers can get notifications up to three days in advance of conditions that could impact GPS guidance.

Dual-frequency receivers can also help by comparing and calibrating signals. Guidance systems that rely on data from multiple base stations also tend to be more reliable during interference.

Read more about how to prepare for solar storm GPS disturbances here.