Most farmers know their animals well, but memory is not enough to run a profitable farm. Records show which animals make money and which cost money, when treatments and vaccinations are due, and whether changes you make actually work. Lenders, buyers and partners also trust farms that keep records.
What to record
- Identity: an ear tag number or name for every animal, with sex, breed and date of birth.
- Movements: births, purchases, sales and deaths, with dates.
- Breeding: heats, insemination or mating dates, the bull used, pregnancy checks and birth dates.
- Health: vaccinations, dewormings, illnesses and treatments, including the medicine and dose.
- Growth and production: weights every month, and milk or egg production.
- Money: feed, medicine and labour costs, and income from sales.
How to start
- Give every animal a clear ID, such as a numbered ear tag.
- Use one notebook with a page per animal, or simple tables for breeding, health and sales.
- Write things down the same day they happen. Set a fixed time each week to catch up.
- When you are comfortable, move to a spreadsheet or a farm app on your phone.
How records pay
- Spot cows that take too long to get pregnant, and aim for close to one calf per cow per year.
- Find animals that grow slowly or fall sick often, and stop breeding from them.
- Work out your cost per kilogram of gain or per crate of eggs, and price your sales properly.
- Never miss a vaccination, pregnancy check or due date.
Records also keep food safe
Many medicines have a withdrawal period: a number of days after treatment when milk, eggs or meat from the animal must not be sold or eaten. Recording every treatment and its withdrawal period protects your customers and your reputation.
Rayiea's precision farming service sets up ID tags and digital records for your farm and trains your team to use them.
This guide is general information. It is not a substitute for advice from a vet who has examined your animals.