Dairy Initiatives

Dairy

Department of Animal Science

D A I R Y   I n i t i a t i v e s   N E W S L E T T E R
V o l u m e   8      I s s u e   2      F a l l   1 9 9 9

The Y2K Bug and You

WAYNE HANSEN, University of Minnesota Extension Service, Redwood County

"Bugs" have been around dairy farms as long as there have been milk cows and farmers. Some bugs, such as rumen bugs, are good. Others, such as bacteria that cause disease, are bad. Today we are facing a new bug, the "millennium bug," also known as Y2K. He could be a nasty little critter. Or, he might be just a small annoyance.

What Is the Y2K Bug?

In the early days of computers, programmers wrote dates as two digits instead of four. When the date rolls from '99 to '00, computers programmed in this way will assume the year is 1900, not 2000. As a result, date-sensitive equipment, such as security systems or feeding systems, may not work properly or could simply stop. Problems may occur on a number of dates, including January 1 and February 29 (leap day).

How Will Y2K Affect My Dairy Farm?

Many of the Y2K problems affecting agriculture will be similar to those faced by other businesses. Others will be unique to farming.

Computer chips pose one of the major Y2K risks on the farm. That's because computer chips are in every part of the home, business, and farm. Here's just a small list of equipment that might contain embedded chips:

• Tractors, scrapers, motorized equipment
• Ventilation equipment
• Feeding and feed-mixing equipment, and electronic scales
• Grain legs containing PLCs that monitor for overheating
• Automatic take-off milking equipment and milk cooling systems
• Security systems
• Fire, smoke, heat alarm systems
• Electrical load controllers

Farms using an older personal computer to control the equipment could have problems. Or if a Real Time Clock (RTC) is present in an embedded chip, there could be a problem even if the clock is not being used. Fortunately, American tractor and vehicle manufacturers designed their own chips, and (according to the manufacturers) they are all Y2K ready.

It is possible that programs or products that do not even use dates in their output will be affected. Many programs query the system clock for routine things, such as timing the tractor's carburetor or the usage time of a conveyor. Any item with a computer chip inside is at risk. The older the chip, the more likely the problem.

If something contains microprocessors, ask the dealer or manufacturer about its Y2K readiness. Have a backup plan in case of malfunction or shortages.

Off-Farm Problems

In addition to possible problems with their own equipment, dairy farms may experience disruptions in the supplies of electricity, feed, fuel, equipment repairs, and milking supplies, and in deliveries to the milk processors. Keep a reasonable supply of fuels, feed, and supplies on hand for potential problem dates. Waiting until the final hour to order could cause spot shortages.

Electrical utilities do not anticipate widespread blackouts, but there may be localized brownouts with reduced power. Farms with high-demand motors or those using load controllers could experience problems. Farms needing a continuous electrical supply (confinement livestock barns with electrical ventilation equipment) or a supply at critical times (milking facilities) should have electrical generators. This is no different than standard preparation for winter storms or other causes of power outages. Be sure generators are hooked up properly by a qualified electrician with an approved transfer switch.

Both the suppliers and purchasers of agricultural products might have problems. This could cause disruptions in the markets and supply chain.

Contingency Plans

Every dairy farm needs a contingency plan. Ask, "What will I do in case of a certain problem or unexpected change?" Determine where you will most likely have problems. Concentrate on areas critical to your operation first.

What will you do if you are without electrical power? If your feed supplier cannot deliver feed when you need it? If your milk processor can't take delivery when your product is ready? What will you use for alternative systems for feeding, watering, ventilating, and milking?

Make plans to deal with alternative feed sources, delays in marketing, or the loss of a buyer. Contact buyers, processors, and suppliers for information on their Y2K readiness. Remember, even if they are ready, there still exists the remote possibility of a domino effect caused by problems elsewhere in the chain.

Refer to the University of Minnesota Extension fact sheet Y2K Farm Inventory and Assessment Worksheet for more information and a guideline to developing a Y2K plan.

In the Office

Ask the manufacturer if your office computer is Y2K ready. If it is not, upgrade or fix it.

Check your office computer software. There are problems with Windows 95 and some versions of 98. Particularly vulnerable are accounting and payroll systems, spreadsheets using dates, and scheduling software such as livestock herd health programs. Some of these are not critical for daily use, allowing repair time if necessary. Check with your vendor if you are hiring this work out.

Make backup copies of all records at regular intervals and prior to testing. Make hard copies of critical documents. Keep paper records of billing and payments, as well as bank receipts for deposits and withdrawals. Pay close attention to automatic billing and automatic deposits to ensure accuracy.

Other office software such as fax machines and answering machines may not be Y2K ready. Except for legal and tax purposes, this may not be critical.

Conclusions

Treat Y2K like any other unplanned event. Develop a contingency plan for all types of emergencies or unforeseen problems. Be prepared, but don't panic. Panic and hoarding may cause more problems than the immediate effects of Y2K. Don't purchase more inventories than reasonable. Don't wait until the last minute to order supplies or to correct equipment with possible Y2K readiness problems.

Other Y2K Resources

This information is based in part on an Internet site that is a joint project of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Canadian Farm Business Management Council. The site contains information on specific milking equipment and farm equipment. It can be found at:
http://www.cfbmc.com/y2k/english/index.html

South Dakota State University's agricultural engineering site contains a database of many types of farm equipment and farm software. Visit it at:
http://www.abs.sdstate.edu/ecs/home/y2k.html

University of Minnesota Extension's Y2K site is at:
http://www3.extension.umn.edu/projects/y2k/

Many Web sites developed by public agencies and private businesses provide additional information and assistance. Some of these have extensive links to other sites. Many manufacturers have information about the Y2K readiness of their products on their company Web sites. If you don't have Internet access, contact your local library, school, or county Extension office to see if they provide access.

D A I R Y    I n i t i a t i v e s    N E W S L E T T E R
Volume 8     Issue 2    Fall 1999

Dairy Initiatives

Dairy

Department of Animal Science