Development and implementation of a computerised management information system (DAIRYMIS II) of Irish dairy farmers

Abstract

Dairy farm income is influenced by many factors including dairy herd management. In order to make wise decisions, the dairy farmer must have adequate information. Systems of dairy farming in Ireland are mainly based on grassland. The DAIRYMIS II computerised management information system was developed to meet the management information needs of Irish dairy farmers. The accurate capture and validation of farm data is a very important component of a management information system. Good information cannot be produced from bad input data. The DAIRYMIS II system is recorder-based. A recorder visits each participating dairy farmer monthly to collect stock and production data. The recorder then codes this data for computer input. The validation applied to the data on the farm and at data entry to computer are also described. Each month, the dairy farmer receives a number of reports which relate to his own farm and reports from which he can compare his own performance with that of other dairy farmers in his group. The system gives 18 main reports. The DAIRYMIS II system has been implemented on dairy farms in Ireland since 1980. The benefits from the use of the system can be exploited more if the participating farmers form a discussion group.