The Rural Voice, 2003-08, Page 57Tree Marking, Advertising,
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54 THE RURAL VOICE
AgriTech
Flock management offers insights
Janice
Becker is a
computer
enthusiast
and
journalist
living near
Walton, ON.
By Janice Becker
Having grown up with the sheep
industry, siblings Keith and Janeen
Todd have taken their own paths as
young adults, but have partnered to
create a software program to help
farmers better manage their flocks.
JK Todd Sheep Flock Management
Systems, a three-part program,
includes flock management, feedlot
database management and a good
production practices manual which
follows HACCP standards.
The CDs require a minimum of
Windows 95 and Excel to run, said
Keith. Adobe Acrobat makes the
system very user- friendly.
Having worked on the programs for
about two years they kept in mind
those who do not have a lot of
computer experience in developing
the program, Keith said. (Keith is the
information source while Janeen did
the programming, created the
manuals and set up the website.)
The flock management program is
a series of spreadsheets easily flipped
through, on which flock data is put
in. As a starter, a ewe's identification
number is entered along with any
previous problems.
The Todds have even developed a
coding system included in the
program so problems can be
identified with a few letters. This
coding system helps the producer sort
information and cull the herd for
specific traits.
A page for ewe and ram sales
enables the farmer to track which
animals are best for breeding, which
were sold and to whom and then
follow-up with the purchaser to
determine productivity, if desired.
Lamb lot sales can be tracked so
producers can make more informed
decision with regards to market price
and animal costs.
1
Flock management provides
guidelines for producers to optimize
the program. Data input should begin
60 days prior to breeding. The
program then offers proactive advice
and tips to reduce problems.
The lambing date chart helps plan
the birthing date as well as follow
dates for each step in process from
pre -conception to post -birth. It even
gives desired ram releases dates.
"It is a great reminder," said Keith,
for things that need to be done. "It
helps with time management."
The feedlot database calculates
death loss, tracks purchases and
tnonitors feed costs and animal
health.
With inputs recorded and sale price
calculated, producers can see the true
net income from the flock.
"This helps make buying
decisions," said Keith. "You have a
contract price and this helps show if
it is worth it for the profit level. By
monitoring the flock death rate,
weight at sale, income and expenses,
farmers will know whether they are
getting ahead or not."
Of all aspects of the management
system, Keith said the feed calculator
is the "best thing we ever put
together. No one had an idea of the
cost of production." The calculator
shows the optimum time to sell based
on feed conversion, weight gain and
other costs.
The 62 -page HACCP Good
Practices manual, in hard copy or
CD, lets the farmer assess the
operation and look for potential
problems.
"You look ahead instead of
reacting," said Keith. "That is our
theme."
The programs are geared to the
commercial producer, said Keith,
rather than the hobbyist, but the price
is still appropriate for anyone.
Their website, www.jktodd.ca, is
currently under development and will
offer demos for interested surfers. To
order the CDs or hard copy of the
system, Keith can be reached at
tkTodd3@msn.com or via phone at
519-528-6226.
Contact me at janice@
northhuron.on.ca or through the
Rural Voice office.