Two years ago the Cotton Foundation surveyed cotton growers to determine how many utilized computers regularly in their agribusiness operations. The study showed that nearly 25% of all cotton producers used computers and almost two-thirds of those people used their computers for communication purposes. Now, in early 1987, we estimate that between 35 and 40% of all cotton growers actively utilize computers in their operations and we expect that number to keep growing.

Why is this growth occurring? Simply because computers -- when properly utilized -- can increase productivity and provide tangible economic benefits.

One of the many things that a computer can do is telecommunicate. Telecommunication simply means that a computer can exchange all sorts of information at very high rates of speed with other computers over telephone lines.

The advantages of computer telecommunication are many. For one thing, data can be exchanged between computers at very high rates of speed and much faster than voice communications can occur. Large quantities of information can be communicated and handled easily by computer. Interactive communication between computer operators is readily accomplished since two-way telecommunication is the accepted method of transferring computer information. Finally, information sent via computers can be received either on paper or on diskettes, whichever is the most convenient.