Why track data in your calf barn?

In the agriculture world, we track a lot of data. Tracking data for cows is easier, there are many well designed apps and programs for them, but when it comes to calves and heifers, it’s a little bit more challenging to keep track of things. 

Programs like DairyComp are great, but you can tell they weren’t designed with the calves, and the people that take care of them, in mind. Like cows, keeping track of calf data is very important. 

What are some key data points you should consider having? At our calf farm, we track quite a few things. 

One note on tracking data, it’s important and it’s time consuming. It’s something that will take dedication, and allowing extra time for things like bringing new calves in and moving calves. That being said, there are not a lot of things that can improve your calf program faster than having good data!

Starting off, we get a birth weight. This data point is key for a couple reasons. One, we need to have this number for tracking average daily gain (ADG) later on. It also gives us a chance to look over the calves when they get them to see if there’s anything wrong. 

Second, we take note of anything that is off about a calf when she gets into the calf barn. Does she have scours, is her navel dipped, is she standing and/or walking, are there any other notable things about her? 

Third, we pull bloods for serum total proteins (STP) around day 3 (+/- 1 day). This information is important for two reasons. One, if you have control of the maternity pen and colostrum management it’s an important management step to continually improve and see where changes can be made or feedback can be given. If you don’t have control of colostrum management, it is still a key factor, because you should be managing calves that have excellent STP differently than you do calves that have failure of passive transfer (FPT).

The fourth thing that we track is all vaccines, medication, group treatments, weights, grain intake, and any other notable events of the calves (e.i. If they miss a meal).

Now your next question might be, how the heck am I going to keep track of all of this stuff?!

We have long struggled to find a data tracking app that we love. We use HeiferPro for all of our inventory and billing needs, but all of us here are visual people. We have found that good old fashioned pen and paper works best for us. 

We have spent many years designing what we like to call the “perfect” calf data tracking sheet, and we want to share it with you! We have used this sheet for over 15 years, and not much has changed on it over that time, because we really love it the way it is.

Follow the link below to get it! We hope you love it as much as we have for the last 15 years.