The use of high accuracy Real Time Kinematic (RTK 2cm) GPS systems in agriculture is growing rapidly; with an estimated 4000 RTK units used in Australia for tractor auto-steer and Precision Agriculture (CTF Solutions, 2008). The high growth of RTK use has prompted users and governments to identify alternatives to single reference stations, as they are costly, independent, inefficient, and offer no redundancy.

Surveyors have used CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Station) Networks around capital cities in Australia for some time. CORS Networks involve several GPS/GNSS base stations feeding information back to a central server, which then calculates and distributes high accuracy corrections to users, based on their location.

CORS Networks are now being rolled-out to regional areas, allowing for agricultural users to connect to them. CORS Networks are also spreading around the world, with many countries in Asia, Europe, and the USA now offering CORS correction signals to those beyond surveying.

This paper will discuss the concept, technical specifications, and payback of CORS Networks to agriculture. It will also profile some of the first CORS steered tractors in the world.