This paper outlines the requirements to effectively operate a Controlled Traffic farming system, with emphasis on the need for some form of automatic steering assistance for farm machinery. The material presented is based on work being widertaken. at the U.S.Q. for the Cotton Research and Development Corporation. Project DDI 1 Lis developing guidelines for establishing controlled traffic farming systems. Project goals include the provision of a bolt-on, economical, reliable automatic guidance system for existing farm machinery.