The Y2K problem is real, and it affects everyone, including the agriculture and natural resources community. An interruption in computer-driven data systems could mean not only an interruption in financial, health and safety, transportation, and other essential services, but also in economic growth. The Nation's food supply sector is a prime example. Food suppliers, like so many businesses, are heavily dependent on computerized processing and information exchange. For example, farmers and ranchers use electronic equipment to water fields, feed animals, and transport what they produce.
Processors rely on automated systems that help prepare and package consumer-ready products.
Distributors, wholesalers, and retailers depend on computer-driven equipment to transport, deliver, store, display, and sell food products. That can mean more expensive, less available food supplies. While this is a serious problem, the greatest hurdles to its resolution are education and time . Small businesses are reported to be the most ill-prepared. In most cases, the problem is not how to fix software and hardware, but how to make sure the job gets done.