The resource helps visualize trends and changes within a herd throughout a production season.
In a cow-calf operation, recordkeeping can be time- and labor-intensive; however, it is the only way for producers to have historical information to reference when contemplating making a change or investigating how a change impacted production or profitability.
North Dakota State University Extension has developed the NDSU Cow-Calf Record Book resource to easily visualize trends and changes within a herd through an entire production season — from conception to weaning — and to compare herd performance with North Dakota and nationwide averages.
“Not every operation has the same goals, which means not every type of record will hold the same priority from herd to herd,” says Lacey Quail, NDSU Extension livestock management specialist. “Some may want to focus on docility and structure, while others are working to improve calving distribution.”
The NDSU Cow-Calf Record Book was built to be interactive, whether minimal or extensive records are entered. If baseline identification and breeding/calving/weaning dates are entered, the record book automatically returns an average breeding season length, calving and weaning rates, and a full breakdown of calving distribution.
Source : ndsu.edu