A system for recording and processing milk production data from experimental dairy herds, using a microcomputer.

Abstract

Animal Production in Australia Vol. 15 A SYSTEM FOR RECORDING AND PROCESSING MILK PRODUCTION DATA FROM EXPERIMENTAL DAIRY HERDS, USING A MICRO-COMPUTER. A. MCGOWAN* For medium and long term experiments practice at the Dairy Research Institute, milk daily for each cow once a week and to each cow on a single (composite) sample of with lactating dairy cows the Ellinbank is to record the volume of measure fat and protein content for milk (Clarke and McGowan 1984). To reduce the time involved in the manual calculation of milk production for each cow, we have developed a computer program to calculate and collate the milk production data for all of our experimental cows. Input : When a cow calves, her identity and which she belongs is entered. Each week, her weekly is entered together with the fat and protein content her milk. (If protein analysis is done every second preceding week is automatically recalled). the experimental (or daily) milk from the weekly week, the value group to production analysis of from the output : The three sets of captions below show thle information provided in the output. In addition the group means are also calculated and printed. WEEKLY OUTPUT (27/8/83) If at any time a cow is transferred from one treatment group to another, her records are removed from the first herd and transferred to the second. If required, her records can be simply deleted without transferral. The program has now been used for three seasons and has proven to be time-saving, accurate and convenient. The program is available on request to the author. CLARKE, T and MCGOWAN, A.A., (1984). press. Aust. J, Exp. Agric. Animal Husb. C In 24: *Dairy Research Institute, Ellinbank, RMB 2460, Warragul, Vic. 3820.