Agronomic production, the growing of plants for food and fiber, is undergoing a technological revolution. Farmers and ranchers are using many of the same advanced and elaborate tools used in industry. Computer technology is driving this revolution. For the food and fiber producer, a significant development is real-time positioning capability, which means that a portable computer is able to determine its position on Earth almost instantaneously. The primary method of position acquisition used by agriculture is the Global Positioning System (GPS). This system is composed of computerized ground receivers and 24 satellites in orbit around the Earth. The satellites emit signals that allow a receiver on Earth (or in space, for that matter) to precisely determine its location (latitude, longitude, and elevation) through a mathematical method known as triangulation. GPS receivers mounted on tractors, sprayers, or combines or carried by hand allow farmers or ranchers to know their location in a field or pasture or rangeland to an accuracy of 10–16 ft (3–5 m) at present and a future accuracy of 1–2 in. (3–5 cm). This real-time positioning capability is resulting in a significant increase in the intensity of farm and ranch management. This intense management is referred to as site-specific farming or precision farming.