Inclusion of mating programs on dairies provides many valuable conveniences. Making this information even more user-friendly is the ability to have it integrated directly into PCDART, allowing you to run daily or weekly breeding "to do" lists and keep an up-to-date semen inventory record.

Once your herd mating has been completed, the evaluator will create a file that can be used to directly input the recommendations into PCDART. To accomplish inputting the data, choose Tasks from the menu bar, then select Import Service Sire Recommendations from the drop down menu. Select the import format by clicking in the appropriate box, then locate and select the file from the next window. Once imported, this information allows you to produce two very valuable reports: suggested service sire recommendations and semen inventory.

The suggested service sire recommendations can be listed on reports for cows that are currently due to be bred. By using database item 308 - Suggested Service Sire 1, DBI 309 - Suggested Service Sire 2, and DBI 310 - Suggested Service Sire 3 you will have a complete report of recommended service sires for cows that are due to be bred.

In addition, PCDART has the ability to maintain your semen inventory record. This report enables inventory to get reduced by one unit for each cow or heifer breeding. To get started using the semen inventory function, go to the Input Desk, choose the Bullfile Functions procedure. Choose the Semen Inventory Option tab and click on the box Put Herd on Semen Inventory. The next step is to click on the Access Bulls tab and enter the bull's NAAB Code (7HO3707), number of units, dollar value per unit, name, and canister where semen is located. By providing this information, standard reports 109 - Semen Inventory List, and 110 - BULLFILE List can be used to view the information.

Take full advantage of the benefits of PCDART and ask your SMS evaluator to provide the information electronically. If you have questions or need assistance with the suggested service sire recommendations or semen inventory records contact me at brookd@northstarcooperative.com.

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