An evaluation of the benefits of on-farm information systems : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in the University of Canterbury

Abstract

In the current economic climate, farming in New Zealand is subject to constant cost increases and widely fluctuating product prices. The successful farm manager must be constantly striving to exploit the changing economic and physical climate in order to maximise the use of his available resources. The provision of up-to- date and relevant information is a vital factor in the management process. Recent advances in electronic and computer technology now provide farmers with fast and efficient methods for storing and analysing management information using micro-computers either as stand alone machines, or as terminals connected to large central databases. An investigation of the potential benefits of on-farm information systems was carried out by conducting a preliminary survey of farmers using on-farm computers, and then constructing a linear programming model of a case study Canterbury mixed cropping farm. The model placed emphasis on the financial aspects of the case study farm, and was designed to represent aspects of financial planning and control noted by the users of on-farm computer systems as being most important to them. The results of experimentation with the model showed that when additional information relating to costs, prices and interest rates was available, the financial outcome was likely to improve when plans were revised to incorporate the up-to-date information. Results from the model indicated that the economic benefits alone may be variable however, and the responses to the survey showed that overall benefits of on-farm information systems included other non-quantitative factors as well. The study has shown that with currently available technology, computer based on-farm information systems can be expected to provide worthwhile benefits to farm management.