“Record-keeping is important to make management decisions for optimum cattle operation productivity and profitability,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension Livestock Field Specialist.
Davis urges cattle producers to consider purchasing the 2024 shirt-pocket-size record book, called the Redbook, to aid in their record-keeping practices. The books are available at local MU Extension centers for $7 per book.
“Cattle producers can store all types of information in these books,” says Davis. The calf information section contains 10 boxes to enter cow identification, calf ID, birth date, birth weight, calf sex, calving ease, and other useful notes. Space is allotted for around 425 head of cattle entries. Furthermore, it has a calendar section in it so that it can be used as a planner. Cattle producers can also store data such as pasture usage, artificial insemination breeding records and herd health records.
“These books also can be used as an educational tool to cattle producers,” says Davis. The books have information on calving ease scores, body condition scores, calf death loss scores, international year/letter code for animal ID, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) best practices and a gestation table. “Cattle producers should not use this book as their sole record-keeping system,” says Davis. To use the information collected in the book, cattle producers should transfer the information into an Excel spreadsheet or other formats that allow for analysis of the information. In addition, entering the information into an electronic format improves the likelihood that it will not be damaged or lost.
Thee books are produced by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and distributed to MU Extension centers for sale through cooperation between University of Missouri, MU Extension and the Missouri-Show-Me Select Replacement Heifer Program.
Book supplies are limited so interested producers should contact their local MU Extension office to purchase a book. In Howell County, call 417-256-2391 or visit the extension office, 1376 Bill Virdon Blvd. in West Plains.
