Use of computers on farms

It is estimated that 10 000 farmers are having a computer perform their farm accounting work. This is approximately one percent of all farms with a gross sales of $10 000 or more. Most of the services are offered by State Agricultural Extension Services and state members of a national farm organization. A number of commercial organizations are entering the field with similar services or specialized services such as beef-breeding improvement analysis, least cost feed mixing and fertilizer need evaluations, based on soil fertility and moisture levels. There is an increasing need for accurate accounting and these services will need to expand to meet this need. Additional requirements needed for the farmer are analyses of farm organization — what crop and livestocks should be produced to maximize his return. Direct use of computers on farms will be limited to the largest farm businesses, which can afford to hire specialists with the computer. In general the farmer will hire the services of a computer with the services of a farm management specialist just as he would hire a veterinarian.