Group/batch events

The Group events form can be used to investigate, enter and edit event data in animal records. The first step is to select the event of interest:

- the event for display. Click the select event button to display a dropdown list of possible events. The grid initially only contains scheduled events, denoted by in the first column.

- If past occurrences of the selected event are also required, enter dates in the two text boxes to define the time period to be searched and then click the Add actual events button. Actual events are denoted by  in the first column.

- determines the order in which the records are displayed in the grid

On moving to a record in the grid,  an abbreviated description of the animal is displayed below the grid. 

Once the records of the specified event are displayed, there are a number of possible actions:

Data entry: Results and categories for the event can be entered directly in to the grid. This is appropriate when entering multiple results that vary between animals, such as following pregnancy diagnosis of a batch of animals. The animals with scheduled pregnancy diagnosis dates will appear in the grid, where they can be sorted by number. The PD results are all entered in one screen, rather than having to pass to each individual animal records. After entering the results it will be necessary to reset the scheduled dates to the date when the animals were actually pregnancy diagnosed (see Set same date for all diagnosed events)

Multiple editing of the displayed records: In many instances the result may be repeated for a large number of animals. For example, 50 heifers may have been given a treatment to synchronise oestrus. To pass down the grid record by record, confirming that the treatment was given is tedious and unnecessary. 

There are a number of options to speed up the data entry process. Firstly select the records from the grid. For a range of records click the first record, move to the last then simultaneously hold down the Shift key and click the last record. Individual records can be added/deleted to the selection by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking a record. 

Selected records are displayed in red. Once the required records are selected click the grid with the right mouse button to display the pop-up menu:

  - on selecting this option you are asked to give a date. All the selected records will have the current date altered to the new date.
- Actual events in the selection can be reset to scheduled events. If the type face is faint, it indicates that no actual events are selected.
- set all scheduled events in the selection to done. Note that the first available result is entered by default so take care to amend this in records where it does not apply. The date remains unchanged. If the events all took place on the same date use the Set same date option above.
- delete the selected events (scheduled or actual) that are included in the selection. This is extremely useful when cleaning up data and removing events accidentally scheduled in the herd but use with caution!

Tip:  
  • To schedule an event for a large number of animals, such as a vaccination or fertility synchronisation treatment,  use the Animal list generator to select the animals and then to insert the required scheduled event.