Integration of on-farm record databases into a centralised system
D.W. Webb, J S. Clay · 2001
Centralised databases of dairy cattle performance information have served highly useful purposes in the United States. Research to quantify genetic progress, measurement of phenotypic changes in performance and characterisation of successful herd management strategies are examples. In recent years, advancement of micro-computer capability, reduction in hardware investment cost and development of herd management software for use on-farm have allowed major advancement of on-farm information management capabilities. Larger herds have been quicker to adopt these on-farm systems. Many producers continue to participate in organized record keeping (dairy herd improvement) in order to receive the benefits offered by the centralised system. Some of these advantages include: professional data collection and management, results of lab analyses, access to young sire programmes, off-site data backup, comparison to other producers, service by consultants, fee discounts and other participation incentives. Herd testing professionals can continue efforts to integrate the on-farm systems into centralised programmes by improving delivery of summarised data, removal of inherent redundancies and modification of data calculations to take advantage of real-time data offered by some of the automated on-farm installations.