PDA and Beef Management

Accurate up-to-date information is essential in any business and the pedigree Aberdeen Angus beef herd run by David Hall at Rathfriland, Co. Down is no exception. David needs information to manage the breeding performance of his 40 cow pedigree herd, to meet the needs of the Aberdeen Angus Recording Scheme and to satisfy Quality Assurance criteria. He is also a registered organic producer and requires additional records for this purpose.

David received a PDA through the scheme and he has used this for all his recording for the past three years. He uses the PDA to record a wide range of data including breeding and production records, veterinary and medicine treatments, feed data, field data and stock movements. David regularly transfers records collected out on the farm to his herd management program on the office computer. Here it is analysed to provide management guidance and can be sent to whichever agency or organisation requires it.

With the experience of electronic recording behind him David says: “I don’t know how I could operate my business now by trying to hold information in my head or writing it down on pieces of paper. The PDA has helped me improve my recording tremendously and has worked out well for me. It makes the job easier and saves me some time. For example, it is great to have all the information to hand when a vet is attending a cow. It makes it easier for me and ensures that the business is well run.”