20 May 1985 Computer usage surveyed

Using a computer to improve management requires "an appreciable investment in time" which should be taken into account when evaluating the economics of the technology, according to Dr Peter Nuthall, of Kellogg Farm Management Unit at Lincoln College.

Dr Nuthall was commenting on the results of survey of farmers and others using computers carried out by the Kellogg unit.

Kellogg Farm Management Unit develops and disseminates computer systems for use by farmers, keeping them up-to-date with a regular newsletter.

Those getting the newsletter, farmers, advisers and consultants were asked how many hours a week they used their computers.

The farm professionals, advisers and consultants, averaged nearly 20 hours a week on their computers.

Computer-using dairy farmers spent little more than half of that time, while sheep farmers were at the keyboard for 6.2 hours and sheep cropping farmers for 5.7 hours.

Horticulturists surveyed said they spent an average of 6.7 hours a week on their computers.

Dr Nuthall said that clearly a computer used up quite a lot of hours each week.

"When time is at a premium, the hours spent on a computer must be given a cost when evaluating the economics of using these management aids," he said.

"Figures from the survey show that a computer will not provide a means to improved management without an appreciable investment in time.

"A regular time slot must be set aside for entering data and obtaining management reports.'

Most computers are used for financial recording and budgeting, as well as for livestock and paddock recording .

Some of those surveyed also use their computers for word processing. Dr Nuthall said the biggest difficulties experienced by users were with creating their own computer systems, problems with setting up spreadsheets, finding suitable
agricultural and horticultural systems and lack of local help.

Some users had experienced difficulties in understanding computer manuals.

"The problem with producers creating their own systems has meant many turning to groups supplying ready-made specialist systems," he said.

"Sixty per cent of those surveyed use off-the-shelf packages a great deal, 50 per cent generally use general business programs, and 16 per cent use systems they have developed.

"The results show that farmers use packages from each category, to a certain extent."

The survey also showed that those who responded together use 57 different computer types.

If all those using computers could have been surveyed this would have shown even more types being used, but Dr Nuthall believes that the number of makes produced and supported with software will gradually decrease.

Further information from Dr Peter Nuthall, Kellogg Farm Management Unit, Lincoln College 8150, Canterbury, New Zealand