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Benchmarking Data Forms

Benchmarking Indicators

1. As a voluntary action available under the Land Management Contract Menu Scheme - Animal Health and Welfare Management Programmes option - support is available to help encourage additional inspections and collating of Animal Health and Welfare benchmarking information. Once collected this information can be used to compare performance across similar farm enterprises. Such comparisons are likely to identify areas for further action and will help further inform the development of Animal Health and Welfare Management Programmes.

2. The following tables identify the agreed benchmarking indicators which have been set by a stakeholder group that includes livestock industry representatives. The group considered these to be most relevant and useful. It is produced in a way that copies can be taken to fill out on a weekly or monthly basis - whichever is considered most appropriate.

3. The Executive is developing a database that will collate the data on a national level and support ready analysis and comparison. The database is currently being piloted before roll-out in future years. In the 2005-6 Scheme year those claiming the benchmarking option need to maintain and record data. The following forms are designed to help those choosing the option to do so. In future years it is expected that claimants will work with their vet to ensure the data are put onto the national database. All such data will be anonymous, only individual farmers and their vets will have access to farm specific data.

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Cattle benchmarking data form

The Following is also available in PDF format at: Cattle benchmarking data form

Beef Breeding Herds

Finishing HerdsDairy HerdsDefinitions and Remarks

Production Measures

Total number of cattle in the herd

Available from Cattle Tracing System (CTS). For Finishing herds this should include the throughput of the herd for the previous 12 months

Number of cows, heifers and bulls of breeding age

N/A

All cattle of 24 months or greater

Number of cows and heifers mated

N/A

Within the previous 12 months

Number of calves weaned

N/AN/A

Number of barren cows (not including any aborted)

N/A

Includes cows not in calf at the end of the breeding period

Number of abortions

N/A

Abortions include all calves born dead before 270 days

Number of assisted calvings including caesareans

N/A

Assisted means any human intervention.

Total number of calves born alive

N/A

This includes all calves seen alive after birth

Number of calves born dead

N/A

These are calves seen to be stillborn and calves which were found dead after birth.

Number of calves born alive but dying before 28 days

N/AN/A

Only include calves that have died and not those culled

Number of calves dying between 29 days and weaning

N/AN/A

Number of cattle died / culled between weaning and 2 years of age

N/A

Number of adult cattle died.

N/A

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 finishing cattle died or culled in the herd

N/AN/A

Number of calves culled before 28 days

N/AN/A

Number of adult cattle culled

N/A

All cattle of 24 months or greater

Calving index

N/AN/A

Keep a note of all the dates on which cows and heifers calved. Work out the interval between calvings in days (the calving interval). The total number of days divided by the number of cows & heifers which calved a full term calf is the calving index for the herd.

Total number of cows and heifers calving

N/A

Number of cows & heifers calving within first 4 weeks of calving period

N/AN/A

Number of cows & heifers calving in second 4 weeks of calving period

N/AN/A

These may be better measures for some beef herds.

Number of cows & heifers calving in third 4 weeks of calving period or later

N/AN/A

Disease Syndromes

No. of cases of lameness which required treatment

Treatment includes antibiotic (topical or injected) and/or hoof paring other than routine herd footcare.

No. of cases of respiratory disease which required treatment or which died.

This includes respiratory diseases such as pneumonia.

No. of cases of mastitis which required treatment or which died.

N/A

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.

No. of cases of diarrhoea / scour before 0-6 months which required treatment or which died.

N/A

Treatment can include veterinary medical preparations or dietary changes intended to stop diarrhoea which has been recognised.

No. of cases of diarrhoea / scour in cattle between 6 months and 2 years which required treatment or which died.

Treatment can include veterinary medical preparations or dietary changes intended to stop diarrhoea which has been recognised.

No. of cases of diarrhoea / scour in cattle 2 yrs plus which required treatment or which died.

Treatment can include veterinary medical preparations or dietary changes intended to stop diarrhoea which has been recognised.

No. of cases of milk fever which required treatment or which died.

N/A

Diagnosis may be made by farmer/stockman. Lab confirmation is not necessary

No. of cases of hypomagnesaemia which required treatment or which died.

N/A

Diagnosis may be made by farmer/stockman. Lab confirmation is not necessary.

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Sheep benchmarking data form

The Following is also available in PDF format at: Sheep benchmarking data form

Sheep/Goat Breeding FlockPure Hill Bred Sheep FlocksBreeder / Finisher FlockLamb Finishing FlockDefinitions and Remarks
Production Measures

Number of ewes & gimmers mated

N/A

Number of lambs scanned in ewes

N/A

Only in flocks where scanning is carried out

Number of lambs born alive

N/A

May be an estimate for hill flocks

Number of lambs marked

N/A

Number of lambs weaned

N/A

Number of barren ewes

N/A

Ewes or gimmers found empty at scanning or otherwise known to be non-pregnant

Number of abortions

N/A

Abortion means any lamb born dead before 140 days

Number of lambs retained for future breeding or finishing

N/A

Number of lambs sold

Number of finishing lambs in flock

N/AN/A

Number bought in last 12 months

Number of lambs culled

Between birth and weaning

Number of adult sheep died

N/A

Number of adult sheep sold

N/A

Number sold/culled because of tooth loss

N/A

Number sold/culled because of udder disease

N/A

Number sold/culled because of poor bodily condition

N/A

Number sold/culled because of lameness

N/A

Number sold/culled because of poor breeding or mothering

N/A
Disease Syndromes

No. of cases of pneumonia which required treatment

No. of cases of diarrhoea / scour which required treatment

No. of cases of observed lameness

No. of cases of skin infestation requiring treatment (wool loss or skin irritation)

Include lice and strike which require specific treatment other than normal prevention. Excludes scab.

Has sheep scab been present on your farm in the past 12 months?

Yes or no response required


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Page updated: Monday, January 9, 2006