Worldwide Agricultural Development
Développement Agricole à Travers le Monde - Desarrollo Agropecuario a través del Mundo
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Worldwide Agricultural Development Développement Agricole à Travers le Monde - Desarrollo Agropecuario a través del Mundo
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Herd management Information SystemsThe need for information technology in the dairy sector
Fierce competition in the dairy sector makes it necessary
to keep production costs as low as possible. Experience shows that the lowest
production costs are realised in specialised dairy farms with huge numbers of
animals. For this reason milk production is concentrated more and more on fewer
but bigger dairy farms.
A proper account keeping system is an essential tool to
manage the events on such dairy farms. On large dairy farms huge amounts of data
have to be processed and the records can only be kept efficiently with the help
of an appropriate computer program.
Herd Management Information Systems (MIS) for large dairy farms.
Many dairy farms still use hand written record books. In
such a recording system it takes a lot of time to find relevant data and draw
the correct conclusions. Consequently, usually little effort is made to analyse
the collected data and use this analysis for further action. If the managers of large dairy farms do not adopt modern management systems, the milk produced on the farm will have a high cost price and as a result they will have difficulties competing with the other farms.
HVA-International has gained a solid experience in the
introduction and use of computers in herd management. These experiences show
that once the Management Information System is incorporated in the farm
management it plays a crucial role in improving the farms’ financial results.
The main elements of dairy farming for which the program provides information
are presented in the following diagram. The MIS transforms the enormous amount
of raw data into a clearly organised set of figures.
MIS for smallholder farms in development projects.
For individual smallholders, computers are generally
considered to be too complicated and expensive. However, HVA offers the computer
service to the participants of its milk collection schemes, thus making it
possible for the smallholders to benefit from the computer technology.
The milk collection schemes work with a centralised book
keeping system and the use of a health and reproduction computer program is a
logical step in the process of stimulation of local production by smallholders.
Data analysis and action The Management Information System follows a logical sequence of steps. The data generated on the farm are processed and the results obtained are compared with defined targets.
2. Information processing
3. Attention and action lists are
produced
4. Key indicators are
calculated and compared
5. Action is taken on the basis of the
attention and
6. Action is taken on the basis of the comparison with
7. The results of the
actions taken are recorded and
8. The targets should be challenging
and reviewed VAMPP
The Veterinary Automated Management
and Production Program or VAMPP is the basis for HVA’s herd
management system.
This computer programme provides the management with the
opportunity to monitor the developments on the farm with the push of a few
buttons. With the information presented by the VAMPP, the management will not
only be able to spot the problems but, more importantly, the program will help
to spot these problems soon. This allows the management to take appropriate
action before major production losses or health problems have occurred.
Making often unnoticed problems visible
The following examples give an indication of the magnitude
of the often hidden losses that occur on many large dairy farms:
Long intercalving periods are very common and frequently go
unnoticed in card systems. VAMPP alerts the farmer when it takes too long to get
the animals pregnant.
It has been calculated that a long intercalving period
costs the farm approximately 3 US$ per cow per day, for each day above 400 days.
Another example
of an area where much money is lost is milk production. Substandard or
disappointing milk production costs the farm the equivalent of the “missed
kilograms of milk” every day. Because
this usually involves whole groups of animals this amounts to a substantial sum.
VAMPP will make recurring health problems, disappointing
production and unsatisfactory reproduction results visible on the individual as
well as the herd level. This helps to focus the farmers’ attention on these
aspects and take the necessary actions. Introduction of HVA's Herd Management Information System
HVA has successfully introduced and used herd management
systems in its cattle projects for more than 15 years. Examples are the
introduction of VAMPP in farms in Nigeria, Oman and Libya.
However, it is important to realise that it takes time and
dedication to achieve excellent results. Some results can be reached in a few
weeks, others may take months or even years. It is essential for a successful
introduction of the program that the managers of the farm understand this point.
1. Introduction of VAMPP on the farm
- The short and long term goals for the farm are determined in consultation
- An action plan
is made for the realisation of these goals.
- The
fundamental parts of VAMPP are explained to the person in charge.
- The available
information is assessed and used to start the programme.
- All animals
get their unique number.
- All previously
recorded data can now be entered into the VAMPP. 2. Data collection and processing
A system has to be set up to gather the data. These data are processed in
the 3. Herd Management with VAMPP
The different
aspects of veterinary farm management can be addressed in accordance
The HVA package programme
HVA-International offers a package deal for the
installation of the VAMPP and training sessions by the HVA Veterinary
Consultant. The training sessions will be designed to suit the clients’ needs.
The HVA package program for computerised herd management
includes:
- the VAMPP software
- installation of the program on the computers
- setting the targets
- training of the staff involved
- supervision of the input of basic data
- 10 hours on-line support
On line service
In addition to the VAMPP-package, HVA-International offers
on-line service for the VAMPP data analysis. In this way expert opinion and
advice from the HVA Livestock consultant will be easily available. Through an
e-mail connection, data are send to the HVA office in the Netherlands for
analysis. Feedback is send back to the farm with suggestions for actions and
other observations. If e-mail is not yet available, sending a disk with the data
by post is also a possibility. To avoid losing a lot of time, advise and
comments will then be send back by fax.
Cost of the HVA services
The cost of the VAMPP package depends mainly on the
clients’ needs. An offer will be presented to each individual client.
For More Information Contact:
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Send mail to
mrmeijer@hvainternational.nl with
questions or comments about this web site.
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1.
The herd Management Information
System is an excellent tool to help bring the production at a very high level
and keep production costs as low as possible.
