If not corrected in time, the problem could cause home computers, fax machines, and other electronic equipment to crash on or before January 1, 2000. The bug is recognized as a serious threat to hospitals, banks or other high-tech industries. However, there is growing concern that even the peaceful, green farm fields of rural Minnesota could feel the bug's sting. Like many parts of society, agriculture has become dependent on computers in recent decades. These numbers have almost certainly increased since the NASS survey was taken in June 1997.
Farmers use personal computers to manage their finances.
Elevators, seed and implement dealers, and transportation companies use sophisticated software to fill orders, track inventory and manage product flow. Meanwhile, everyone logs onto the Internet to keep an eye on the latest commodity price movements. While the problems the Year 2000 bug poses for the agriculture industry are similar to those facing other industries, the ramifications of the ag problems could have a particularly serious impact for the average consumer. In a worst-case scenario, there could even be local food shortages due to transportation problems. The reason for this is that agriculture is a business that runs on a tight schedule.