Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of
a microcomputer as a tool of information handling. Specifically,
this involved developing software packages for use on an Apple II
Plus microcomputer.
The Willow Bend Demonstrational Farm in Union, West Virginia,
was chosen. A farm records and budgets model was developed. Receipts
and expenses from the Electronic Farm Accounting records were used
to test the model for use by the farm operators in West Virginia.
Enterprise budgets were generated using spreadsheet software
(VisiCalcTM) and the recorded data.
Two experiments were conducted to test the viability of producing beef and no sheep, and wintering calves. During the process
of conducting the experiments, the recalculation capability of the
model was explored.
It is concluded that the microcomputer is a powerful budgeting
and forecasting tool. It is not difficult for a person with no
previous computer experience to learn to use a microcomputer and
to develop programs using spread sheet software. The records and
budgets model developed indicate that this tool has a potential
application in solving farm operators' problems of data acquisition
and processing the data into information.
