The Rural Voice, 1983-03, Page 10[a[T1PUTERS
Universitel in Guelph
Grassroots the computer information
system which has served Manitoba
farmers since April 1981, is now in
Ontario. Universitel, an Ontario -based
agricultural information network being
developed by the University of Guelph,
will supplement the already vast Grass-
roots network. Both will be available to
Ontario Grassroots/Universitel sub-
scribers.
The announcement was made at the
Canada Farm Show by the University of
Guelph's Vice -President, Academic,
Howard C. Clark and Infomart Presi-
dent, David Carlisle of Toronto. Grass-
roots was developed by the Winnipeg
offices of Infomart.
"Grassroots is expanding into Ontario
with the University's collaboration,"
says Mr. Carlisle. "While the network
has proven itself a success in Mani-
toba, the content provided by the
University will assure that the network
serves Ontario. The University will con-
tribute to the usefulness of the network
through the wealth of objective infor-
mation it can supply."
With a terminal in his home, the
subscriber uses his telephone to dial
into the 13,000 -page information net-
work and access such vital information
as local weather (updated three times
daily), commodity prices (updated every
fifteen minutes), and a calendar of agri-
cultural events throughout the province.
The network also offers interactive farm
management programs with which the
farmer can analyze rations, profitability,
energy efficiency, utilization of land and
buildings, machinery, and many other
factors which affect his operation.
More than an information network,
Grassroots is a communications me-
dium. Subscribers can correspond with
each other through "electronic messag-
ing." Each time they come onto the
system. they scan their "mailbox" for
messages. With the interactive farm
management programs. the farmer sup-
plies facts and figures for his opera-
tions and the program does the cal-
culations.
Universitel will complement the Uni-
versity's existing education and exten-
sion services to farmers, offering cour-
ses, animal health information and
reports on research. Subscribers will be
able to request selected transcripts of
talks and papers through Universitel.
They will also be able to learn about,
and register for, courses and seminars
through the Universitel network.
Among the first Ontario subscribers
to Grassroots and Universitel are Peter
Hannam, President of First Line Seeds
of Guelph, and the company's stock
holders who are scattered from Barrie
to Sarnia. It will provide First Line
Seeds with a communication network
and act as an efficient way to provide
inventory information.
17 PRODUCTION SALE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30th
at 1:00 p.m.
65 boars 90 open gilts 30 bred gilts
Sale being held at the farm of Warren Stein located 1 mile south and
2 miles west of Tavistock.
We offer you one of Ontario's largest selection o1 R.O.P. tested and
veterinary approved breeding stock. Our herd is maintained as a
closed minimal disease operation.
A good selection of boars and gilts available for sale at all times.
For further Information or catalogues. contact: -
Fartms,,
YORKSHIRE DUROC HAMPSHIRE LANDRACE EJ HYBRIDS
Reserve Champion at the 1982 Ontario Pork Congress. A product of our
breeding program.
PG. 10 THE RURAL VOICE, MARCH 1983