Computers are crucial to meet stocking rate rules
Computers are crucial to meet stocking rate rules
By Emma Penny
MEETING stocking rate requirements under Agenda 2000s extensification scheme will almost certainly require producers to invest in a computer.
Computer software specialist Gillian Mitchell warned livestock producers at last weeks Farm IT event at Stoneleigh, Warks, that legislation meant record keeping requirements were changing fast.
"Farm computers were largely used as management tools in the past, but increasing legislation means record keeping – and being able to show different sets of people those records – is becoming more important."
She cited new extensification regulations as a key example. As of Jan 1, heifers between six months and two-years-old must be counted in stocking rate calculations at 0.6LU/ha, while animals over two years old remain as 1LU/ha.
Ms Mitchell believed that calculating stocking rates without a computer would be a nightmare for producers.
"It will have a huge effect on incomes, and if you do not comply with stocking rate limits you will lose extensification payments. If you already have a computer, check to see whether programs can cope with the changes.
"There are producers whose farm records are appalling, but if they do not change they will be in trouble," she warned.
"The problem now is that many people need to see the same records, but they are all looking for something different.
"If you are currently considering buying a computer for the farm office, think about what you want or need from a program first." *
COMPUTER RECORDS
• Increasingly important.
• More inspections.
• Help manage claims.