Some 58 percent of US farms have access to a computer and 51 percent use the Internet, the Agriculture Department said on July 29, rates that trail the national average for households.
In a report issued every two years, USDA said Internet availability was up by 3 percentage points from 2003. Access to computers was unchanged. It said 55 percent of farms owned or leased a computer, compared to 54 percent two years ago.
"It appears that computer usage, ownership and Internet access on farms are leveling off," said USDA.
According to the latest Commerce Department figures, 62 percent of American households have a computer and 55 percent have an Internet connection.
Research by the Pew Internet and American Life Project indicated Internet use was highest in metropolitan areas, in homes with higher income levels and college educations.
USDA said 79 percent of farms with revenue of at least $250,000 a year have access to a computer, 66 percent use a computer for their farm business and 72 percent have Internet access. Small farms have sharply lower rates of computer use and Internet access.
"Dialup was the most common method of accessing the Internet with 69 percent of US farms (using it)," said the report. "Operators were also asked if they conducted any non-agricultural business via the Internet in the last 12 months and 26 percent of the US farms responded yes."
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