FARMERS still waiting for balance payments for 2001 from the Rural Payments Agency are becoming increasingly frustrated at the delays caused by the intensive cross-checking of records.

Many have not yet received extensification, suckler cow and beef special premiums, and anomalies with data held on CTS and records submitted by farmers mean payments cannot be made until the problems are resolved.

Gill Mitchell, of agricultural software firm Lines Mitchell, believes computerisation is the best way forward for farmers battling against a tide of bureaucracy.

She said: "To make matters worse, the 2002 premium forms include a declaration that the details held on CTS are complete and correct.

"So how do farmers establish that the details held by the BCMS are correct?

"The only way is to access the BCMS web site and, without a computer, this is pretty difficult.

"Any farmer who already keeps his records on computer has undoubtedly been able to sort out last year's queries more efficiently than those with paper-based systems. And those with access to the internet will at least be able to stay ahead of potential problems in the future."

Darlington-based Rural Technology Partnership has been supplying farmers with computer packages, including installation, software and access to Defra-approved training, since going national earlier this year.

The company already turns out more than 50 Hewlett Packard systems a month and is being courted by some of the biggest names in farming, who are keen to get more farmers to use computerised records.

RTP has been invited to exhibit alongside National Milk Records and Robert Wiseman Dairies at next month's European dairy farming event at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Peter Johnson said: "Some of the real big boys want to get behind us because, like it or not, all farmers are going to have to become computerised in the near future.

"What we are doing is supplying everything they need to get started and giving them access to subsidised, approved training if required."

To contact the Rural Technology Partnership telephone 0845 1300466