A system for recording and processing reproduction and veterinary data for dairy herds using a microcomputer.

Abstract

Animal Production in Australia Vol. 15 A SYSTEM FOR RECORDING AND PROCESSING REPRODUCTION AND VETERINARY DATA FOR DAIRY HERDS USING A MICROCOMPUTER. A.A. MCGOWAN*, J.W. TAYLOR: D. MORRIS: SUMMARY A computer program suitable for use on a small micro-computer has been developed to store and process all useful reproductive details of a commercial or experimental dairy herd. Inputs, recorded as they occur in a field diary, are entered into the computer to provide a current summary of the reproductive performance for each cow in the herd. At the end of the mating season, a final summary of all relevant reproduction parameters is made available. The program also collates data on post-partum anoestrous and conception rates which are of potential use to reproductive physiologists. INTRODUCTION Accurate records of the reproductive performance and veterinary history of dairy cows is important if farmers are to readily identify unsatisfactory mating management or poor reproductive performance of individual cows, or of the herd as a whole. With comprehensive record keeping farmers can identify cows which need culling for poor reproductive performance or a poor health record. Moreover the successful operation of feed budgeting is dependent on having readily available, the predicted calving dates of all cows in the coming season (Gallagher and Brightling 1981). A real practical problem is that the work involved in such record keeping can impose a heavy load on those who do keep records. This can discourage those who do not like, or do not appreciate, the benefits of good record keeping. For a number of years, computer based recording systems have been available to Australian dairy farmers through the 'Whole Herd Health Program', conducted by the Veterinary School of the University of Melbourne and other organizations (Williamson 1982). These systems have been operated on main frame computers. Accordingly they involve processing costs as well as a certain delay in the return of processed data to the farmer. To make data processing of herd records more convenient and potentially cheaper for farmers, we have developed a program suitable for use on a micro-computer. It offers very convenient input of data while providing a comprehensive output of information needed for good management decisions. Our program also collates data. Although this information may not be of immediate use to the individual farmer, it can provide a very useful pool of information for veterinarians and reproductive physiologists. *Dept. of Agriculture, Dairy Research Institute, Ellinbank, Vic. 3820. 460 Animal Production in Australia Vol. I5 DATA INPUT All relevant data is collected by the farmers in the field and is initially entered into a pocket diary. For every entry there is a record of the date, the identity of the cow and the type of event involved, viz : Calving Heat Pregnancy Diagnosis Veterinary Disposal (a (HI (PD) W) (D) With calving, the sex and identification of the calf is also recorded; when a cow is on heat and is mated, the identity of the bull is entered. With a veterinary entry, the category of disease and minimum details are recorded viz : Calving Problems abortion, dystocia, metritis, artificial induction, retained foetal membranes. Acetonaemia, grass tetany, milk fever, other. Metabolic Diseases Mastitis Feet Problems Other - Identification of infected quarter. - Identification of affected foot. In the event of disposal of a cow there are three subcategories together with reasons for disposal : SUB CATEGORY Died Dried off Sold REASON FOR DISPOSAL low production, bad teeth, udder problems, temperament, poor feet, empty, other. Additional information of an exceptional nature e.g. 'cow fell in creek and got pneumonia', can be entered in the field diary but may be entered in the computer only in a general way under the category 'other'. However, having both the record of the date and the identification of the cow, the farmer can readily return to the original diary entry to obtain full details. The same will apply to any details of veterinary treatment which are not entered into the computer. Data can be entered into the computer from the field diary whenever convenient, but weekly is recommended. Animal Production in Australia Vol. I5 The format of the diary and a typical page is shown in Figure Date 15/7 15/7 15/7 16/7 16/7 17/7 17/7 19/7 20/7 23/7 1. ID 137 Event C Details M, 826 Captain Milk fever Died of bloat Mastitis, # 1 Feet, # 3 Sold, bad kicker R.F.M. Positive T36 642 137 356 243 342 138 137 367 etc.. Figure 1. Representative page of field diary. OUTPUT Each week the program can print out an updated 'wall sheet' which lists identification of cows, calving dates, and dates of oestrous and mating based on three weekly intervals after calving (Figure 2). This output replaces the 'wall sheet' currently drawn up manually by most farmers. Data for week ending 15/l/84 Oestrous and mating (*) dates H V D V V D V PD H Figure 2 Sample of 'Wall Sheet' prepared by computer. Also on a weekly basis the program will provide a list of all cows which have reached 42 days post-calving but have not yet been observed in oestrous. It also lists those cows which have had oestrous cycles of abnormal lengths (<18, 24-36 and >44 days) so that they can be examined or treated by a veterinarian. Every second week a list of cows which have reached two months of pregnancy, based on the date of last mating, is printed so that they can be examined for pregnancy diagnosis. At the end of the mating season, or at any other time if requested, a summary of the reproductive performance of the herd is prepared. For each cow that has calved, this summary includes : * the and * her * the she expected date for her last calving, the actual date, the difference between the two. post-partum anoestrous interval. number of times she was mated and the bull to which was last mated. 462 Animal Production in Australia Vol. I5 * her expected calving date for the next season and expected calving to calving interval. * details of why and when she was removed from the herd (if applicable). A list of expe cted calving dates for next year is PrePa red in both serial order of the cow's i dentification and in chronologica l order. For the herd as a whole, the following parameters are calculated .. * * * * * * * average post-partum anoestrous interval. accuracy of heat detection. submission rate after 28 days of mating (only with seasonal calving herds). distribution of inter-oestrous intervals. average number of services per conception, and conception rate. average calving to calving interval. number of empty cows. A summary of all recorded veterinary problems is also provided on request. In addition to the above details which are of immediate relevance to the producer, the program is capable of collating : * * * the effect the effects conception the effect rates. of date of calving on post-partum anoestrous of number of cycles after calving on rates of interval since calving on conception CONCLUSION This program has been used for several herds at the Dairy Research Institute and found to involve less time than the minimal recording using a manual system. It has also been most effective in readily providing all relevant information for herd management, and in highlighting problem areas that require attention. We believe that it would also be most useful for the;+managers of other experimental or commercial dairy herds. REFERENCES GALLAGHER, A.P. and BRIGHTLING, P. (1981). Feeding dairy cows a feed planning handbook. Department of Agriculture, Victoria. Technical Report Series No. 39. WILLIAMSON, N.B. (1982). 'Herd health programs in seasonal dairy herds'. Dairy Production from Pasture. Ed. MacMillan, K. L. and Taufa, V. K. New Zealand and Australian Society of Animal Production. 463