Post on 24-Feb-2016
description
Records and Record KeepingThe Key to Profitability
David FernandezExtension Livestock Specialist
University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
Why are records important?
• Allow you to analyze your operation– What expenses are excessive?– Where are your greatest profits?– Where should you focus your efforts and when?– Should you expand your operation?
Why are records important?
• Tell you if you are meeting your goals– Are your cows producing the kind of calf you
want?– Is your forage system meeting your grazing
needs?– Are you maximizing your income/meeting your
lifestyle needs?
Why are records important?
• Can be used to obtain financing– Demonstrate how your loan will meet your
production goals– Clearly demonstrate income-generating potential– Demonstrate ability to repay the loan– You may learn you don’t need the loan
Why are records important?
• Help you make better decisions– Setting appropriate goals– Tracking your progress– Selecting sires– Reducing expenses– Culling unproductive cows
A Rancher’s Results
Your Name Here
Big Cattle BuyerBoondocks, USA
What records should I keep?
• Records you will use– Sounds obvious– Easy to get bogged down in too much
information• Depends upon YOUR goals– Herd health records– Cow performance records– Financial records
Herd Health Records
• Vaccination dates• Vaccinations given• Deworming dates• Illnesses– Dates– Treatments– Outcome
Cow Performance Records
• Hip height and pre-breeding weight
• Breeding and calving dates• Pre-calving body condition
score
• Calf birth dates and weights (if possible)
• Calf weaning weights and dates weaned
• Calf hip heights and muscling scores
Cow Performance Records
Financial Records
• Variable costs– Labor– Feed– Veterinary and medical
• Fixed costs– Land/Loan payments– Machinery– Depreciation
Sample Record Forms
Julian Calendar
Example at Calving
Animal IDSex
(B,C,H,S)Birthdate
(Julian date)Birth
Weight BWT Ratio Actual WWTDate Weighed(Julian date)
Adj 205 Day WWT WWT Ratio
101 S87 (March
28) 66 95.2
102 H 88 81 116.9
103 H 88 68+D4/
D12*100
104 S 90 67+D5/
D12*100
average=AVERAGE(D2:D11)
=AVERAGE(F2:F11)
=AVERAGE(H2:H11)
Example at Weaning
Animal IDSex
(B,C,H,S)Birthdate
(Julian date)Birth
WeightBWT Ratio Actual WWT
Date Weighed
(Julian date)Adj 205 Day
WWT WWT Ratio
101 S 87 66 95.2 563 305 (Nov 11) 533 102.0
102 H 88 81 116.9 564 305 537 102.8
103 H 88 68 98.1 550 305 523 100.1
104 S 90 67 96.7 545 305 523 +H5/H12*100
105 H 91 60 86.6 553 305 532+H6/H12*100
106 S 93 62 89.5 540 305+((F7-D7)/(G7-C7))*205+D7
107 S 93 75 108.2 532 305+((F8-D8)/(G8-C8))*205+D8
108 H 98 72 103.9 505 305
109 H 102 73 105.3 505 305
110 H 106 69 99.6 515 305
average 69.3 537.2 522.9
Example Results
Animal IDSex
(B,C,H,S)Birthdate
(Julian date)Birth
WeightBWT Ratio Actual WWT
Date Weighed(Julian date)
Adj 205 Day WWT WWT Ratio
101 S 87 66 95.2 563 305 533 102.0
102 H 88 81 116.9 564 305 537 102.8
103 H 88 68 98.1 550 305 523 100.1
104 S 90 67 96.7 545 305 523 100.0
105 H 91 60 86.6 553 305 532 101.8
106 S 93 62 89.5 540 305 524 100.3
107 S 93 75 108.2 532 305 517 98.9
108 H 98 72 103.9 505 305 501 95.8
109 H 102 73 105.3 505 305 509 97.4
110 H 106 69 99.6 515 305 528 101.1
average 69.3 537.2 522.9
ExampleReplacement Heifer Selection Decisions
Animal IDSex
(B,C,H,S)Birthdate
(Julian date)Birth
WeightBWT Ratio Actual WWT
Date Weighed(Julian date)
Adj 205 Day WWT WWT Ratio
101 S 87 66 95.2 563 305 533 102.0
102 H 88 81 116.9 564 305 537 102.8
103 H 88 68 98.1 550 305 523 100.1
104 S 90 67 96.7 545 305 523 100.0
105 H 91 60 86.6 553 305 532 101.8
106 S 93 62 89.5 540 305 524 100.3
107 S 93 75 108.2 532 305 517 98.9
108 H 98 72 103.9 505 305 501 95.8
109 H 102 73 105.3 505 305 509 97.4
110 H 106 69 99.6 515 305 528 101.1
average 69.3 537.2 522.9
Compare to mature cows’ ratios
Questions?