Record Keeping

It is advised that records must be kept for animals on the farm. These records are essential for traceability of diseases; animals with poor performance, animals that have chronic disease disorders and having a database as a reference, should a certain animal be examined in the future.

Most farmers keep a file for each animal, recording all necessary information. This record enables the farmer to make a practical assessment concerning the productivity of each animal in the herd. Such a file would include: the pedigree of each animal, a record of all medical treatments and diseases and dates when they occurred and were administered, and a record of the number of calves/lambs produced as well as the lactation periods. Very important, in dairy, the milk production performance of each animal is recorded daily!

A spreadsheet is an excellent way to create a record of treatments. The identity of all treated animals and the date and time should be clearly visible.

Keep a permanent, detailed treatment record for reference and management purposes. Write this in the herd’s health book or in the individual animal’s record files. This record should identify the animal, the product and dosage administered the date of treatment and in dairy the milk-withholding period. Before shipping any animal for slaughter, check this record to ensure pre-slaughter treatment withholding requirements are met.

Correct usage of livestock medicines, recording of treatments, and clearly identifying treated cows are essential practices.