* If recording annually, if mating and subsequent calving fall into separate years, record these measures in the calendar year in which the related mating occurred.
| Beef Breeding Herds | Definitions and Remarks |
|---|
Annual | Quarterly | Monthly |
|---|
Production Measures |
|---|
Total number of cattle in the herd | | | | As per 1 st Jan (same as Cattle Tracing System) for annual recorders. Includes bulls and calves. |
Number of cows, heifers and bulls of breeding age | | | | All cattle of 24 months or greater. |
Number of cows and heifers mated | | Annual only | Annual only | Includes any mated by AI. |
Number of barren cows * | | Annual only | Annual only | Includes cows with negative pregnancy tests and any others not in calf at the end of the breeding period. Does not include those that aborted. |
Number of in-calf cows and heifers sold.* | | | | |
Number of abortions * | | | | Abortions include all calves born dead before 270 days. |
Number of cows and heifers calving* | | | | |
Number of stillbirths * | | | | These are calves seen to be stillborn. |
Number of other calves found dead after birth * | | | | Where unsure if abortion/stillbirth/other. |
Number of caesareans * | | | | |
Number of vet-assisted calvings * | | | | Requiring other physical intervention by a vet. |
Number of other assisted calvings * | | | | Any other physical intervention by a human. |
Number of calves born alive * | | | | This includes all calves seen alive after birth. |
Number of calves born alive but dying before 28 days * | | | | Neonatal deaths. Only include calves that have died and not those culled. |
Number of calves dying between 29 days and weaning * | | | | Youngstock deaths. Do not include culls. |
Number of calves weaned * | | | | |
Number of cattle died/ culled between weaning and 2 years of age | | | | Heifer/steer deaths or culls. |
Number of adult cattle died. | | | | Includes only cattle dying of natural causes on farm. Cattle destroyed on farm must be counted as culls. All cattle of 24 months or greater. |
Number of adult cattle culled | | | | All cattle of 24 months or greater. |
Number of cows & heifers calving within first 3 weeks (21 days) of calving period * | | | | Count forward 285 days from the date the mating period starts (bull mixed with cows or AI performed). Use that date as the start date for the first 3 week period of calving. Any cows calving prior to this date should be included in the total for the 1 st 3 week period. |
Number of cows & heifers calving in second 3 weeks of calving period * | | | | |
Number of cows & heifers calving in third 3 weeks of calving period or later * | | | | |
Disease Measures |
|---|
Number of cases of lameness that required treatment | | | | Treatment includes antibiotic (topical or injected) and/or hoof paring other than routine herd footcare. |
Number of cases of respiratory disease that required treatment or that died | | | | This includes respiratory diseases such as pneumonia. |
Number of cases of mastitis that required treatment or that died | | | | This includes summer mastitis and mastitis in cows and heifers in milk. One case is defined as one quarter case. If a cow gets mastitis in two quarters this counts as two cases. |
Number of cases of diarrhoea / scour between 0-3 weeks that required treatment or that died | | | | Treatment can include veterinary medical preparations or dietary changes intended to stop diarrhoea that has been recognised. |
Number of cases of diarrhoea / scour between 4 weeks-6 months that required treatment or that died | | | | Treatment can include veterinary medical preparations or dietary changes intended to stop diarrhoea that has been recognised. |
Number of cases of milk fever that required treatment or that died | | | | Diagnosis may be made by farmer/stockman. Lab confirmation is not necessary. |
Number of cases of hypomagnesaemia that required treatment or that died | | | | Diagnosis may be made by farmer/stockman. Lab confirmation is not necessary. |