Handling Embryo
Transfers into DC305
Document Specs:
Author: Mark J. Doornink
Last Modified (MDY):
Program release date min. (MDY):
Since changes to international sire ID format have been made, the old method of recording embryo transfers in DC305 is no longer suitable. Previously, embryo “breedings” were entered using a service sires that started with ‘ET’ like ET1234, where 1234 was the ID of the donor dam. That is no longer an acceptable service sire. Improvements in the program have been made to properly handle the creation of the ET calf’s record and ensure that the ET dam’s information is used for the resulting ET calf. The method to properly setup a dairy using embryo transfer is detailed below:
Items needed:
Item Number Location Length Type Description
ETDAM* 42 97 2 17 ET DAM, used by system
*The item ETDAM is a “sacred” item which must be item number 42 in location
97. If it is not, please call for
assistance in correcting this problem.
Commands
needed:
ETBRED = EC=5 EDAY ETDAM
Changes to Fresh Event Table:
In Alter option “C” (Fresh Event Items) go to Option “4” (Items to be zeroed), add ETDAM if it is not already there.
Application:
The embryo transfer “breeding” should be entered with the ETBRED command to prompt for the ETDAM of the embryo. If the embryo that is transferred is a day 7 embryo (most are), the breeding entered with the ETBRED command should be entered as 7 days prior to the actual transfer (when the cow was actually in heat). The sire used in the breeding should be the actual service sire used in the breeding and flushing of the embryo from the donor. A new breeding code, such as ‘X’ for Embryo Xfer, may be desired to make these ET breedings more visible on the cowcard.
The program will look at the item ETDAM to determine if any correction is needed on the calf’s information during the FRESH event. If the item ETDAM has an ID number in it and that ID number is found in COWFILE1.DAT, the program will use that ID number to set all calf item values (DID, DREG, SID) and dam’s production information (cowcard Page 5). It is recommended that the CLEANUP settings for Dead Cow and Dead Heifer records be set to higher values, like 365. This is done so that if the donor dam (ETDAM) dies or is culled, the ET calves born to that ETDAM have a better chance of getting the correct dam info transferred to the calf’s record. If the ETDAM is long gone from the herd (not in COWFILE1.DAT any more) or not in the herd to begin with, the resulting ET calves that are born will need to have their cowcards edited manually in order to have the correct parentage information.
The program will automatically zero-out the item ETDAM if a normal BRED event is entered. This is done so that any subsequent AI breedings and conceptions are handled normally during FRESH. The item ETDAM will not be zeroed-out if it is used in a BRED command like the ETBRED command shown above. Also, the program automatically zeros-out the item ETDAM if a PREV, OPEN or ABORT event are entered.