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 Buyer Boondocks, 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 ID Sex (B,C,H,S) Birthdate (Julian date) Birth WeightBWT RatioActual WWT Date Weighed (Julian date) Adj 205 Day WWTWWT Ratio 101S 87 (March 28) H H8868 +D4/D12* S9067 +D5/D12* 100 average =AVERAGE (D2:D11) =AVERAGE(F 2:F11) =AVERAGE(H2: H11)

Example at Weaning Animal ID Sex (B,C,H,S) Birthdate (Julian date) Birth Weight BWT RatioActual WWT Date Weighed (Julian date) Adj 205 Day WWTWWT Ratio 101S (Nov 11) H H S H5/H12* H H6/H12* S ((F7-D7)/(G7- C7))*205+D7 107S ((F8-D8)/(G8- C8))*205+D8 108H H H average

Example Results Animal ID Sex (B,C,H,S) Birthdate (Julian date) Birth Weight BWT RatioActual WWT Date Weighed (Julian date) Adj 205 Day WWTWWT Ratio 101S H H S H S S H H H average

Example Replacement Heifer Selection Decisions Animal ID Sex (B,C,H,S) Birthdate (Julian date) Birth Weight BWT RatioActual WWT Date Weighed (Julian date) Adj 205 Day WWTWWT Ratio 101S H H S H S S H H H average Compare to mature cows’ ratios

Questions?