DAIRYPRO – a knowledge-based decision support system for strategic planning on sub-tropical dairy farms. II. Validation

The DAIRYPRO knowledge-based decision support system has been evaluated both formally and informally. Formal evaluations were conducted on the utility of the system through an attitude survey, and the accuracy and acceptability of the rules used in the system through a review workshop of four experts in the same field. Informal evaluations were conducted by the authors, the expert and dairy farmers assisting the project throughout development. Additional farmer feedback from farmers not involved with development was recorded during regular farm visits. DAIRYPRO was assessed as a user friendly computer package with mean ratings on seven aspects of the system varying from 5.3 to 6.3 on a scale from 1 to 7, the latter being the highest. The evaluation of system performance by the panel of experts was successful with consensus being reached on the acceptability of the rules developed. Farmer feedback varied with some farmers considering the program to be useful and others considering that it highlighted known limitations on their farm. DAIRYPRO is considered to be an umbrella program able to identify problems with the general level of efficiency of the farm.