Explain the role of computer in agriculture?

Question

Explain the role of computer in agriculture?

Answer 1

I did some work for small potato farmers in northern Maine and found that other than clerical usage they had very little interest in using computers. Anything that would give them real time data and control on what the temperature and humidity was in their potato storage sheds was considered of no economic value. Idaho agribusiness on the other hand were willing to spend big to save labor.

I know someone who opened a nationwide business a few years ago in which he gave 30,000 farmers free computers to get them to become interested in ordering farm supplies on line. Despite that grandiose scheme the business did terribly and he had to have a company go around to the farmers and take back those computers. That company found that almost all of the boxes were unopened because nobody had come to each farmer and showed them how to setup their computer. His investors, btw, are now suing him for millions saying he should have test marketed a small segment and foreseen that problem. That does not indicate that most farmers are doing much with computers.

Answer 2

All of the answers you are recieving to your question are "right."  

I'll answer it from the point of veiw of a small farmer raising unusual products however.  I raise meat goats and meat rabbits.

Frankly there is very little written information for the person who wants to produce meat goats.  

With so precious little written information about meat goats, the computer, and the internet can play a vital role in making or breaking a small commercial goat farmer.

By commercial, I mean someone who ONLY sells for the meat market, and does NOT show, nor sell show goats at over inflated prices.

Rasing goats and rabbits also means you many not find a Vetrinarian who is willing, or knowledgable enough to treat you animals.  Since goats and rabbits sell for so little money, Vetrinary care is often not something that is reasonable for a small farmer to do.

However the computer/internet can connect one to people from all over with years of experience, knowledge and sound advice.

It can be the difference between making a profit, and operating at a loss.

Certain software is also an outstanding way to keep track of ones herds, and notice problem patterns, or animals that are highly productive.  It allows you to manage your herds better, and helps with choices of what animals to cull from a herd, and what animals to keep.

Like anything else, the computer is a tool.  How it is used by the farmer can make it a well used and integral part of the farm, or just another piece of junk taking up space.

~Garnet

Homesteading/farming over 20 years

Answer 3

The role of a computer in agriculture is virtually limitless since the term "agriculture" covers such a broad spectrum.  If you are referring to row crop farming, spread sheets would be a great tool for keeping track of your soil analysis reports, do comparative analysis between crop yields and plant population, etc., etc.  A good accounting program would help keep track of income vs. expenses.  With a cad program you can draw/design parts for repairing or upgrading equipment.  With internet capabilities you can obtain current stock market quotes, current weather, weather forecasts.  From my point of view, if you are in agriculture (in this day and time) and do not utilize a computer, you are fighting a loosing battle.  SN

Answer 4

Computers have to do with most everything dealing with agricuture. If you are farming crops you need to keep track of  how much you sell, how much money you make, you need to keep up the repairs on equipment, do research on the crop you want to grow, You need to keep up with paychecks, and the things you can do with computers in argricuture is limtless.

Answer 5

Steve N is correct, but you can also have computers in combines to track the bushels that you are collecting per acre along with other information like moisture and test weight. The same computer can also be used in planting to tell how much fertilizer you are spreading per acre. These computers can also track the entire field using global positioning sensors. Row crop technology is really advancing.