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DIVISION OF AGRICULTURERESEARCH & EXTENSIONAgriculture and Natural ResourcesUniversity of Arkansas SystemFSA3108Computerized Herd ManagementSoftware for Cow Calf ProducersTom R. TroxelProfessor and AssociateDepartment Head AnimalScienceA. Hayden BrownProfessor, Animal ScienceArkansas IsOur CampusVisit our web site at:http://www.uaex.eduWith the increasing use ofelectronics in agriculture, producerswho have computers frequently askabout the availability of softwareprograms to handle cow calf produc tion records. Before purchasing asoftware program, it is important toanalyze the value of such a systemwith regard to making better manage ment decisions. Producers shouldevaluate their existing records todetermine the types of informationneeded from a software program. Byconsidering specific recordkeepingneeds, the producer is better equippedto choose an appropriate softwarepackage. The hardest steps tovaluable recordkeeping are (1) makingtime for recordkeeping, (2) determin ing the herd information that iseconomically feasible to collect and(3) summarizing the herd data for usein the decision making process.If the producer is not currentlykeeping any records on herd perfor mance, a good starting point may beworking on some basic calf croprecords, cow information (if individualidentification is used), calving andweaning data, inventory numbers,number of females exposed to thebull(s), etc. Seedstock and commercialcow calf producers have differentneeds. Also, herd size can influencethe degree of detail that a producer iswilling or able to assemble on thecattle. Meaningful cow calf recordsmay be handwritten or computerized.Calendars, journals and IRM Redbooksare a few examples of handwrittenrecord systems. Many producers havedeveloped simple spreadsheets thathelp them track their productionand inventory.The typical program purchasecosts range from 75 to 695. Mostmanagement software companies offerdetailed web sites that explain thecomputer requirements to run thesoftware and the specific features ofthe program. In addition to thedesktop database, which will providecomprehensive cow, calf and sire dataentry fields as well as herd productionsummaries, most are compatible withelectronic identification (EID) readersto electronically identify and transferinformation to the database. Severalcompanies offer additional softwarefor mobile devices, such as Pocket PCor Palm, to allow the producer toenter information while in the field.Pasture movement, breeding orcalving data, observation notes orveterinary information can be loggedin the field and uploaded to thedesktop program at a later time.Online data management programsoffer an alternative, allowing theproducer to log on anywhere there isinternet connectivity and access herdinformation. Registered cattle usersshould check with their breed associa tion to verify the recommendedmanagement program for that breed.Before purchasing any software,determine the level and cost ofsoftware support that will be providedby the company. In addition, someprograms have specific cattle informa tion requirements before the programwill work. Sorting applications andthe type of reports generated mayvary, but in many cases, producershave the opportunity to customizereports to meet specific needs.University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture, and County Governments Cooperating

Another important feature may include the ability toquery or search the data for specific animal informa tion. Every cow calf operator must determine theamount of time available to devote to practicalrecordkeeping and weigh this commitment againstsoftware costs, data entry features and desiredsummary reports.Information provided about the followingprograms was adapted from an OklahomaCooperative Extension Service publication (CR 3279).The summary does not cover all available packages orindividual program features. Programs may haveother capabilities that are not described in thesummary. Producers should contact the respectivecompanies for purchase information, details onfeatures and specific hardware requirements. Cow Sense Midwest Microsystems, LLC3100 ‘O’ Street, Suite 7Lincoln, Nebraska 68510Phone: 402 323 6969/800 584 0040E mail: sales@cowsense.comsupport@cowsense.comWeb site: www.cowsense.comContact: Tim Davis, vice president CattleMaxCattlesoft, Inc.P.O. Box 2647College Station, Texas 77841Phone: 877 454 COWS (2697)E mail: sales@cattlemax.comWeb site: www.cattlemax.comContact: Penny Miller The Beef Cattle fIRMUniversity of Tennessee Extension315 John Rice Boulevard, Suite 101Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129Phone: 615 898 7710Fax: 615 898 7999E mail: kferguson@utk.eduWeb site: economics.ag.utk.edu/firm.htmlContact: Kevin Ferguson Cattle ProGlobal Livestock Management Systems LLC1725 Dryden RoadSadieville, Kentucky 40370Phone: 800 204 2002/859 234 2002E mail: support@cattlepro.comWeb site: www.cattlepro.com CattleworksCattleWorks, LLC5411 Dishner Valley RoadBristol, Virginia 24202Phone: 800 507 2902E mail: info@cattleworks.comWeb site: www.cattleworks.comContact information for various software vendors: Ranch ManagerLion Edge Technologies7663 South Duquesne WayAurora, Colorado 80016Phone: 720 870 5086Fax: 303 699 5485Web site: www.lionedge.com Cow Calf 5University of Nebraska – LincolnGreat Plains Veterinary Education CenterP.O. Box 148, State Spur 18DClay Center, Nebraska 68933 0148Phone: 402 762 4357Fax: 402 762 4509E mail: Support@CowCalf.comWeb site: www.cowcalf.com Farm StockFarm Works SoftwareMartens Farms539 Buckskin RoadInman, Kansas 67546Phone: 620 585 6761/877 585 6761E mail: info@123farmworks.comWeb site: www.123farmworks.comContact: Lorra Martens

YYYYYYYYNYYYYNNYYYYYYYYYYYYYY0SexDam IDSire IDBirth DateBirth WeightCalving Ease ScoreCalving PeriodAge of Dam at BirthManagement Code (e.g., creep)Weaning Date/WeightHorned/Polled/ScurredColorHip Height/Frame ScoreMuscling ScoreGrade/Carcass DataHealth/Vaccination RecordsDeath/Disposal Cause/DateSold To/PricePasture/LocationAdjusted Birth WeightAge in DaysAverage Daily Gain (weaning)Weight Per Day of Age (weaning)Adjusted 205 Day Weaning Weight/RatioAdjusted Hip HeightYearling Weight and DateAdjusted 365 Day Weight/RatioAverage Daily Gain/Ratio (yearling)Ratio/Index by Sex/GroupNumber of User Defined EntriesY Yes, N No, U User Defined Field, VU Virtually YYYYYYYYYYYYYFarm StockYYYYNYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYBreed Registration NumberTattoo/Brand Number/Ear TagYYBreed CompositionYYCowCalf 5Individual ID, YYEZ dYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYNYNYYCommercialCow SenseCalf YNYNYYThe tle Cattleworks

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYNNYYYYYYYYYYNNAverage Calf Performance ccination RecordsDeath/Disposal Cause/DateSold To/PricePasture/LocationEmbryo TransfersAverage Calving Ease ScoreNumber of User Defined EntriesY Yes, N No, U User Defined Field, VU Virtually cy StatusYYUYYYYYYYYYYYBreeding InformationPregnancy Check DateYYYYYYYYHeat Detection InformationPelvic Area MeasurementsNYYNYYNYYNYYYNYNAverage Daily Gain of CalvesYYYYYYYNAverage Adjusted Calf Production WeightsYYYYYYYYYYAverage Calf Performance Weights(Birth, Weaning, Yearling)NYYNYYYYYYYYYNYYYYYYYYYYYDate of Last CalfDays OpenYNYYYYYYYYYYProjected Calving DateYYNYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYNManagement CodeNumber Calves Born, WeanedNYNYYYYYYNYYYYMPPA ScoreCalving IntervalUUYYYYYYYYNumber Calves Held as geYYUYNYYYYYYYYYHip HeightNYYYYYYYYYYYYCondition ScoreTemperament ScoreYUYYYYYYNYYYYCow Weight/Weigh Additional WeightsYYearling Weight/305 DayWeight and RatioYYWeaning Weight/205 DayWeight and RatioNYYYNYNNNYYYPedigreeYYNYYYYNYYYYBirth WeightYYNYYYYYYYYYYYBirth DateYYYNYYYYYYYYYPurchased/Raised, Cost and DateYYYYYYYYYYYYYTattoo/Brand Number/Ear TagNYYYYNYNNNYYYBreed Registration NumberYYYYYYYYYYYYYBreed CompositionYYYYYYYYYYYYYYIndividual ID, NameYCattleworksCattlePro 2005The alLiteEZ 75Farm StockCowCalf 5RanchManagerCow SenseCow Information

YYYYDeath/Disposal CausePurchase/Sale PriceBreeding Soundness ExamsY Yes, N No, U User Defined Field, VU Virtually UnlimitedNSemen InventoryYBreeder of BullList of SiresNContemporary GroupYYHorned/Polled/ScurredYYColorAverage WDA of CalvesYHip HeightAverage ADG of CalvesYCondition ScoreYNPercent Pregnancy RateAverage Adjusted Calf Performance Weights/RatiosYHealth/Vaccination RecordsYYOn Farm Bull Testing InformationYYCentral Bull Testing InformationAverage Calf Performance Weights(Birth, Weaning, Yearling)YYearling Weight/305 Day Weight and RatioNumber of Calves Sired YearlingYWeaning Weight/205 Day Weight and RatioYYPedigreeYYBirth WeightNumber of Calves Sired WeanedYBirth DateNumber of Calves SiredYPurchased/Raised, Cost and DateYYBreed Registration NumberNYPercentage Fullblood/PurebredManagement CodeYBreed CompositionPelvic Area MeasurementsYIndividual ID, CowCalf 5NAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYFarm StockYYYYNYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYNYYYNYYYEZ YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYNYYYNYYYCommercialCow SenseSire lNYYYYYYYNYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYCattlePro 2005YYYYNYYNNNNNYYNNYYYYYYYYYYNYYThe fIRMUYYYNNYYYNNYUUUNUYUUNYNNNYNYYYUUYYCattleworks

CowCalf YYYYYYYY Yes, N No, U Sort by Index User Defined Field, VU Virtually UnlimitedPounds Weaned Per CowCommon Weaning DateAverage Inseminations/Cow BredAverage Inseminations/Live CalfAverage Birth WeightAverage Adjusted Birth WeightAverage Weaning WeightAverage Days of Age (Weaning)Average ADG (Weaning)Average WDA (Weaning)Average 205 Day WeightAverage Hip HeightAverage Cow AgeAverage Yearling WeightAverage Adjusted 365 Day WeightAverages by Calf SexAverage by Cow AgeAverage by Calf SireAverages by Management CodeNumber of Cows in HerdNumber of Open CowsNumber of Bred CowsNumber of Cows ExposedNumber of Cows Added to HerdCattle Purchases RecordsNumber of Calves BornNumber of Nursing CalvesNumber of Calves WeanedFeed and Pasture RecordsExpected Calving DateCalf Crop PercentPercent of Cows PregnantLength of Calving SeasonAverage Calving IntervalCalving Distribution SummaryHealth/Vaccination RecordsYearling ListYearling SummaryPotential Replacement HeifersPotential Cull CowsSort by IndexSort by IDSort by OtherHistorical Cow PerformancePedigree ReportBreeding WorksheetPreg Check WorksheetHerd Composition by AgeConception Rate by AgeList of Open CowsList of Cows BredInventory by Calf SexInventory by LocationInventory by SireOpen Cows Carried ForwardManagement YNYNNYYYYYYYYYYNYYNYYYYYYYFarm YYYYYYYYYNYEZ YYYYYYNYYYYYYYYYYYCow YYYYYYYYYNYYYYYYYYYYYHerd YYYYYNYYYNYYYYYYYThe YNNYYYYYYNCattlePro NNNYYYYNNNNYYYYNNNNNNNYYNNN