Weight status and recording

The Weight status and recording Form is the principal method for entering and viewing weight data. In addition to displaying actual weights recorded, the form predicts weight values for each animal. Weight values that differ from the predicted value by more than 10% are highlighted in green (better than predicted) or red (worse than predicted). Values over 25% from predicted are also displayed in bold. In addition to reducing data entry errors this gives early notification of animals performing unexpectedly well or badly, thus allow early investigation of problems.

- The weight recording date. This can either be a new date or the date of a previous weighing session. If a new date is entered, all animals present will be displayed with the predicted weights on that date. Actual weights are then entered in to the actual weight fields of the grid. If a previous weighing date is entered, all the animals present on that date will be displayed along with the actual and predicted weights on that date.
- Every animal in the grid will have calculated a predicted date for achieving the target weight.
- print the currently displayed grid. If printing a recording format to take to the farm it may be desirable to load a different grid layout to reduce the values printed. See How do I customise a grid?
- display the weights in the grid in a graphical form
- Import weight data from a text file generated by an electronic weigh scale. See How do I import data from an electronic weigh scale?
- display the grid containing the animals present on the specified date.

The grid displays the predicted and actual weights on the specified weight date. The user can enter actual recorded weights directly in to the grid. The predicted date for target weight is blank if the animal has already achieved the specified target weight.

 

Note:  
  • Weight predictions use the herd growth standards . These can be updated by the growth curve analysis so the values use historical growth rates for the herd. These will take account of the age and sex of the animal as well as variation due to season and other factors that may be specific to the farm and so lead to more accurate prediction of future growth rates.
  • The animals displayed in the grid can be limited by specifying a lot/group or by applying a filter
Tip:  
  • Clicking on any value in the grid with the right mouse button, displays a pop-up menu enabling the records to be sorted according to the values in the column. By sorting the "Predicted date for target weight" column  it is possible to display the animals in order of when they are predicted to achieve the target weight.
  • The animals displayed in the grid can be limited by specifying a lot/group or by applying a filter