The Rural Voice, 1982-07, Page 24FARM ADVICE
Tips for buying an on-farm computer
Many farmers are anxious to jump on
the computer bandwagon, but before you
decide to take the leap, take the time to
explore the market.
"There's a real shortage of information
available on the on-farm use of
computers," says Randy Ross of the
Ridgetown College of Agricultural
Technology economics section. "To make
sure you are getting a product that will suit
your needs it pays to do a little research."
First, make sure that a computer fits
into your operation. Mr. Ross says
computers have the greatest potential in
livestock operations requiring a great deal
of record-keeping, such as dairy or
sow -farrow -to -finish operations.
"The computer can update information
immediately and it can do summaries and
statistical analysis automatically," he
says. "It can tell you when a cow is coming
into heat based on information you have
provided. But it won't work for anyone
with poor records."
Once you have determined you could
use a computer, look at the soft -ware or
programs available before you buy. If you
can find a commercial program that suits
your needs, then buy the computer to
match the program. Designing your own
programs can take 500 to 600 hours.
At this point, it's a good idea to compare
notes with farmers who are already using
computers. Write to Ridgetown College
for a copy of the Agricultural Micro -
computing Directory . Attend meetings
and read the farm publications for
information about computer systems.
Expect to pay from $5000 to S6000 for an
on-farm computer. Anything less than
that is not likely to do the job you need,
says Mr. Ross. Find a system with at least
32K of memory with a disk drive and
printer.
"I advise farmers to look at computers
with CP/M operating systems because
they are becoming the industry
standard," he says. "With this system, it
doesn't matter what brand you buy. all of
the programs will be compatible."
With the increasing pace of
technological advances, many people are
concerned about buying a computer that
will be obsolete in a year or so. Mr. Ross
admits that over the past five years the
average computer model's lifespan has
been 18 months.
"It's like buying a car. A new model
comes out every year but the old one can
still do the job," he says. "If you buy a
Marginal drop
Ontario farm injuries declined margin-
ally in 1981, according to recently released
statistics.
The Farm Safety Association records all
injuries reported by farm employers to the
Workmen's Compensation Board. The
2,573 injuries reported last year repre-
sented a slight drop from the 1980 figure
of 2,650 injuries. The 1981 statistics
indicate a three per cent decline from the
previous year, when farm work injuries
reached an all-time high. The lowest
number of injuries previously reported
was in 1972, when 1,637 were recorded.
Commodity groups accounting for the
largest number of injuries were tobacco,
at 23 per cent of the total; nursery -land-
scape, at 21 per cent; and fruit and
vegetable, at approximately 12 per cent.
These three groups traditionally hire the
computer that can do the work you need, it
will continue to do that work as long as you
want it to."
Leasing offers no real advantage to
buying because the individual is likely to
pay for the a computer in two or three years.
he says. But some farmers have worked
out agreements to share computers
and/or programs to cut costs.
Interested producers can obtain more
information from Randy Ross. Ridgetown
College of Agricultural Technology.
Ridgetown, Ontario. NOP 2CO. The college
publishes a computer newsletter. the
Agriculture Microcomputing Directory,
and work on a software catalogue is under
way.
in farm injuries
biggest share of the agricultural workforce
in Ontario.
Counties or regions with the largest
number of injuries were Haldimand/Nor-
folk, with 360 (14 per cent of the total). and
York, with 216 (8.4 per cent). Middlesex.
Halton and Ottawa -Carleton recorded 6.6.
6.4 and 5.4 per cent of the total injuries
respectively.
Agricultural fatalities reported to the
Association dropped by 20 per cent, from
50 deaths in 1980 to 40 last year. Tractors
and farm equipment were involved in the
majority of these accidental deaths.
Ontario Farm Safety Association
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PG. 24 THE RURAL VOICE/JULY 1982