Event definitions

The Event Definitions form is where the event structure is determined for the production system. The event structure can be manipulated to suit the management system used in the monitored herd(s). The contents of the form are as follows:

- The user is offered the choice of printing the currently displayed event only, or the entire event structure.

- Self-explanatory buttons to edit or delete the currently displayed event, or to add a new event

- the code (maximum 5 characters) used throughout the program to refer to the event, and the full text description.

- Every event is given a class (selected from the options in the drop-down box) which is used by the program to determine how to respond to an instance of the event. In this way the program can maintain checks that all female animals have a scheduled fertility or oestrus event. It also enables running totals of lameness and mastitis events.

- If the event can be scheduled to occur in the future (anticipated return to heat date, pregnancy diagnosis due date etc) then this determines if that event should appear on action lists printed for the owner/herdsman and/or the veterinarian. A scheduled HEAT event, for example,  is of interest to the owner, but not to the veterinarian while a scheduled PD (pregnancy diagnosis) is relevant to both.

- Events of certain classes (including oestrus and observation/treatment) can be defined as transient. These will appear as scheduled events but then be removed once confirmed to reduce the events stored in the animal record. A farmer check following treatment of an animal would be a good example of a transient event. The check event is scheduled so appears in the action lists at the appropriate time. The event is confirmed and will be removed from the animal record when it is saved. If the animal required further treatment then that would be entered as a new event.

- In seasonal breeding herds the scheduling of some events, such as a service, can be delayed until the start of the breeding season as defined in Herd Records...Options

- Many events can have results or outcomes. A pregnancy diagnosis, for example, can result in positive, negative, unsure etc. The result will determine what happens next to the animal. For example, if the animal is pregnant then, at least, a calving event will be scheduled. If negative, another PD or fertility treatment may be scheduled. Note that results should be mutually exclusive. The possible results, their associated follow-up events and any standard supplies (drugs etc) are entered in the results grid:

-
No.: The sequence in which the event results should be offered in the Event pad or Parity data and events screen
Result name: The name of the possible results (Positive, Negative - retry, Negative - cull)
Default supplies: Any supplies (see Supplies) that are routinely administered in association with the result
Follow-up events: The event or events that should be scheduled in an animal's record as a consequence of the associated result. Hence a positive PD may schedule a calving event.

- Ay number of categories may be defined for an event. They are not mutually exclusive so more than one category may apply. For example a lameness event may have Front left, Front right, Back left, Back right defined as categories to indicate the foot/feet affected. Further categories, such as sole ulcer, laminitis etc may also be included. 

- For scheduled vet events, it is useful to know about associated events that have already occurred to the animal. Entering event codes in the grid will ensure that actual events of that type are included for reference in the short version of the vet list. For example, when a PD is scheduled it is important to know about any earlier services, fertility or PD events that may have a bearing on the scheduled event.

Note:  
  • The event structure is one of the most powerful features of the program that can be adapted to suit any range of production systems. Before implementing changes it is recommended to take a back-up. Ensure that you fully understand the procedure of events before making changes or consult your distributor for advice. For close fertility control ensure that all breeding females have a fertility event scheduled