More farms have Internet access In a recent computer usage and
ownership study conducted by the USDA's South Dakota
Agricultural Statistics Service, 45 percent of all South Dakota
farms reported having Internet access. This is up from 43
percent reported two years ago, when the study was last
conducted. Having access to a computer and usage for farm
business both increased from prior levels indicated in the 2001
study. Sixty-one percent of the farms in South Dakota now have
access to a computer, up from 56 percent two years earlier.
Thirty-three percent of the farms use a computer for farm
business, up two points from 2001. The 2003 survey showed 6
percent of South Dakota farms purchased agricultural inputs over
the Internet, up from 4 percent in 2001. Seven percent conducted
agricultural marketing activities over the Internet, compared to
5 percent in 2001. Seven percent accessed National Agricultural
Statistics Service reports over the Internet, an increase of one
point, whole 12 percent accessed other USDA