Event pad

The Event Pad provides a method for the entry of events in to animal records.

The two essential elements to register any event are the date that the event took place and the code of the event. Enter the date (today's date is given as the default). Then enter the event code in the event box (this will display all possible codes in a drop-down box). Once the date and event are entered, the Animal  box appears. This is also a dropdown box offering all the animals present in the herd:

As an animal identification is selected a production summary for that animal is displayed to the right of the box. Once the required animal is selected, a range of additional data entry boxes relevant to the event will appear.

Result: The result or outcome of the event (e.g pregnant / not pregnant). These are defined in the event definition
Categories:
The categories associated with the event (eg lameness in front left, front right, back left, back right etc).  These are defined in the event definition
Operator:
The individual responsible for administering medicines / inseminator.
Sire details:
The details of a sire used for inseminations or confirmed as the sire of a positive PD
Supplies used:
Drugs, semen or other inputs that were associated with the event (see Supplies)

Once you have entered all the details available for the event save the record by either pressing the S and Ctl keys simultaneously (Ctl S) or by clicking the icon. The details are then saved in to the animal's record and the Event Pad screen is cleared ready for the entry of the next event. To abandon data entry, click the undo button.

Event log: Once an event is saved it is displayed in the event log. This event log is maintained for reference until you close down the program.

The Event Pad then returns to the Animal field, maintaining the event and date. If the next date or event is different overwrite the values before proceeding with the next item.

Note:  
  • Where a herdsman/farmer/adviser is entering the data it is recommended to enter events via the animal record rather than the Event pad. The event pad does not display the full event history of an animal which a herdsman should use to diagnose problems at the time of data entry.
  • There are a number of checks built in to the program to minimise inaccurate data entry. For example, if you attempt to enter a service for a pregnant animal then a warning message will appear. It is recommended in these situations that the event is not saved and that the user go to the event details in the animal record to clarify the situation.
  • Following the recording of a calving event, the register offspring form will appear. This should be completed if a calf record is to be created.