ABSTRACT

The technology that has made microcomputers of value to agriculture is the floppy disk—a phonograph record with a paper covering around it. Many high schools and vocational technical schools have instructional centers but the university extension services are behind. The Animal Science Division at the University of Wyoming has a Model I Radio Shack microcomputer. The more common level II microcomputers that farmers are considering are: Northstar, Vector Graphics, Super-brain, Hewlett Packard, and Cromenco. Books and magazines on microcomputers and how to use and program them are also helpful when selecting a microcomputer. Almost every state extension service is holding computer seminars specifically for farmers and ranchers interested in learning more about microcomputers and the potential agricultural applications. Top producers are starting to see the potential of being able to use the microcomputer to help generate the needed reports: financial statements, profit and loss statements and cash flow projections.