Dairy Software Key Terms

Be a smart shopper for dairy software by learning the terminology

Keeping tabs on every aspect of dairy farming can be a challenging task. There are large quantities of information to compile, keep track of and update daily. From keeping track of the amount of milk that each cow produces to determining the quantity of feed required to make the business cost-effective, software can help your dairy farm run more smoothly. So before you plunk down hundreds of dollars on new software, you should know some common dairy software lingo.

 

Automated Milk Recording System

The Automated Milk Recording System contains milk meters to capture the weight of the milk taken from cows while in the parlor. These systems often work in correlation with dairy software programs.
Try: Learn what typical dairy software works well with the Automated Milk Recording System at the Vermont DHIA.

PCDART

PCDART is short for Personal Computer Direct Access to Records by Telephone. This piece of software was designed by Dairy Records Management Systems to help keep track of individual and herd records. This is used by dairy consultants, DHIA technicians and dairy producers.
Try: Learn more about the benefits of using the PCDART at the Lancaster DHIA.

Pocket Diary

This is a pocket-sized herd management software developed by Dairy Records Management Systems. Used with handheld organizers, this software is comparable to PCDART, but it also offers extra features.
Try: Learn more about the Pocket Diary at NC State University and its Perspectives On Line magazine.

Ration or feed formulation software

In addition to keeping track of the milk supply, dairy software can keep tabs on the amount of feed given to cattle. This is effective in knowing exactly how much you need to spend to provide an adequate amount of grain.
Try: Learn more about feed-formulated software at Central Valley Nutritional Associates.

Heifer management software

In addition to keeping track of milk output and feed provisions, you should know the status of your heifers. When should they produce their first offspring, when are they due for vaccinations or what are their current weights and heights?
Try: Learn more about heifer management software at ProfitSource.

Dairy Records Processing Center (DRPC)

The Dairy Records Processing Center creates a compiled report for you, the dairy provider, based on test-day data from your dairy software. You should make sure that the software you purchase works well with the DRPC. The reports produced can show averages or other records for individual cows or the entire herd.
Try: Visit the Dairy Records Management Systems site, and click on the "Background" tab to learn more about the DRPC.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---