24 August 1999 Spouses Significant Computer Users on Farms

On 30 percent of farms with computers, the main user is the spouse, according to a national computer survey by Lincoln University's Management Systems Research Unit.

Looking into computer use on farm properties throughout New Zealand, researchers Dr Peter Nuthall and Craig Benbow found that currently at least 43 percent of primary producers have a computer.

"Important social factors were investigated," says Dr Nuthall. "These included the age, education and objectives of the farmers.

"Responses show that for farm financial records, 71 percent of managers and 65 percent of spouses perform some of the work. For budgeting work, 60 percent of the managers are involved with only 30 percent of the spouses participating. With correspondence it is a different story – 80 percent of the spouses contribute and only 48 percent of the managers.

"Clearly in farm computing team work is important."

Concerning the age of primary producers, the survey showed the average age of managers with a computer was 46 years, compared with 43 in 1993, the last time a national survey was conducted.

For the farms without computers, the average age of the managers was 50, against 46 in 1993.

"The average age of farmers is increasing," says Dr Nuthall. "Another survey would be needed to discover why. Perhaps retirement is now more financially difficult, or perhaps the younger generation is seeking employment elsewhere."

The survey asked farmers to rank their objectives. Results show that “to enjoy farming” is a very important factor, followed by the desire to provide an income and support their family. Ranked as least important was the objective “to be the best producer”.

"Overall, enjoyment factors come out ahead of money and maximal production for its own sake," say the researchers.

Computer owners and non-owners were also compared in the survey, the rationale being that any differences would be important in providing training programmes and other back-up services.

"It was clear that education levels were different," says Dr Nuthall. "Age difference also occurred. But when comparing objectives and the basics of education, using some careful statistical analysis, it became apparent that there were no basic differences between the groups.

"This augurs well for an eventual 100 percent uptake of computers."

Farmers could be grouped into four basic types, say the researchers – the producers, the family person, the enjoyer and the studier. Among the respondents 27.9 percent had some tertiary education – high compared with many sectors of the community. Of the computer owners, 37 percent had tertiary experience, against 20 percent of non-owners. Compared with 1993 these levels have changed only slightly.

The survey figures showed that education does seem to be correlated with innovation and entrepreneurship. Those with off-farm businesses and those with an internet connection appear to have higher levels of formal education than the remainder.

"Anyone interested in efficient computer use needs to study all of these social factors, says Dr Nuthall.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand

Dr Peter Nuthall, Management Systems Research Unit, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand