Farmers offered big discounts

Press, 1 May 1984, Page 22

Farmers offered big discounts

Farmers are being offered the opportunity to purchase microcomputers and software at discounts of about 25 per cent and attend a free workshop at Lincoln College to learn how to use the equipment The offer has been made by the Kellogg Farm Management Unit at Lincoln College to encourage farmers to use personal computers as management tools.

Dr Peter Nuthall, reader in farm management and head of the Kellogg unit at Lincoln College, said the package deal was being offered to members of Federated Farmers.

The three-day workshop was planned for the begin-

ning of July and computers and equipment would be delivered to fanners there, he said.

Three farmers from each provincial district of Federated Farmers will be chosen to take up the package, and those interested should apply to the nearest office of the organisation by May 8.

Farmers can also apply direct to the Kellogg Farm Management at the College by the same date.

Dr Nuthall said farmers chosen to go to the workshop would be able to choose the microcomputer they prefer from a short list of reputable and comprehensive microcomputers.

Cost of the computers, including disk drives, printer and a full range of Lincoln College software, should be about $5500, depending on the equipment chosen.

Management software supplied by the college will include a financial record- ,r ing system, a budgeting and - cashflow package, and a choice of a paddock production or livestock recording system.

“The Kellogg Farm Management Unit is organising the bulk purchase arrangements and the workshop because it is felt farmers should be given a good grounding in computers,” Dr Nuthall said.