Several studies examined agricultural computer use between 1986 and 1991; these provide a basis for what influences adoption and use (Table 1).
The only nationwide study was conducted by Willimack (1989).
She looked exclusively at record keeping, based on a 1987 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm
Costs and Returns Survey.
Other studies, such as Farm Futures (1988), Iddings and Apps (1990), Baker (1992), and Ortmann et al. (1994) were not random since they drew their samples from computer periodical subscribers, non-farm agribusinesses, ‘top farmers’ or known computer users, respectively