Formed just two and a half years ago, GSM (GPSSolutionsMKY) has “never looked back,” after it began servicing cane farmers in Mackay and Proserpine districts.

“We were all shocked and surprised at the award,” Darren Deguara said.

“It’s in recognition of all the hard work we have done,” he added.

With a ticket to America, to see the headquarters of precision guidance specialist AutoFarm and its just-released ParaDyme wireless GPS technology (full details next week), the expectation is of Darren and Tony teaming up with their partners to check out “what’s happening” in US agriculture.

While the Mackay cane crop may be down 10 percent this year, improved price prospects are buoying local producers.

“Looking back, it’s probably the best season in five years,” Darren Deguara said.

Interestingly, GSM sold more than 20 Viper Pro multi-function field computer units to sugar giant CSR, principally to monitor the rate of dunder – a by-product of sugar refining - being spread on paddocks. Required to oversee application rates, they were linked to a mapping facility.

Meanwhile, competition in the high-tech world of precision agriculture sees the price of the technology continuing to drop.

Coming into its own during cultivating and planting operations, the latest units on offer are now being installed on cane harvesters – to minimise ground by ensuring in-paddock ‘wheelings’ are kept to a minimum.

“It’s an exciting time for us,” Darren Deguara said.

Footnote: Graham Fuller travelled to Cairns as a guest of GPS-Ag.