By Scout Nelson
Recordkeeping is one of the most important parts of a successful cow-calf operation. Although keeping records requires time and effort, it provides valuable information that helps producers make better decisions. Good records allow farmers and ranchers to review past performance, measure progress, and understand how management changes affect production and profitability.
To help producers manage information more effectively, North Dakota State University Extension has developed the NDSU Cow-Calf Record Book. This interactive resource helps users track herd performance throughout the entire production cycle, from conception and breeding to calving and weaning. It also allows producers to compare their herds performance with North Dakota and national averages.
The record book is designed to work for operations of all sizes. Some producers may keep only basic records, while others may collect detailed information on every animal. The system is flexible and can provide useful reports whether minimal or extensive data is entered.
“Not every operation has the same goals, which means not every type of record will hold the same priority from herd to herd,” said Lacey Quail, NDSU Extension livestock management specialist. “Some may want to focus on docility and structure, while others are working to improve calving distribution.”
When producers enter basic information such as animal identification numbers, breeding dates, calving dates, and weaning dates, the program automatically generates valuable summaries. These include average breeding season length, calving rates, weaning rates, and a complete breakdown of calving distribution.
“The number of calves born and weaned per female exposed to breeding is an indication of herd fertility and overall calf survival, both directly impacting profitability,” said Quail. “On the other hand, the proportion of females calving in the first 21 days of the calving season points to reproductive efficiency of the herd.”
The timing of calving is important because females that calve later in the season often wean lighter calves. They also have a lower chance of becoming pregnant during the following breeding season. By monitoring these trends, producers can identify areas where improvements may be needed.
The record book becomes even more valuable when additional information is entered. Producers can add records related to age, location, body condition, weights, calving ease, parentage, and pregnancy diagnosis results. As more information is added, the program produces additional reports and herd summaries.
One feature calculates average bull-to-female ratios for both yearling and mature sires. Another creates automatic printable lists of nonpregnant females and females expected to calve, grouped by month within the calving season.
The system also calculates average herd pregnancy rates and provides detailed breakdowns by dam age, Body Condition Score, sire, and location. These reports help producers better understand reproductive performance and identify factors that may affect herd productivity.
Calf performance is another important focus of the tool. Producers can analyze average birth weights and review data by calf sex, calving ease score, sire, and dam age. Additional reports calculate pounds weaned per female exposed, which is an important measure of overall herd efficiency.
The record book also highlights the top 10% of females in the herd based on calf growth performance and the percentage of body weight weaned. This information can help guide future selection and management decisions.
Other reports include average calf weaning weights, average daily gain, and adjusted 205-day weaning weights. These summaries can also be separated by sire and dam characteristics to provide more detailed performance insights.
The NDSU Cow-Calf Record Book is available as both a Microsoft Excel file and a Google Sheets file, making it easy for producers to use on different devices and platforms.
To further support producers, a workshop is scheduled for October 1, 2026, at the Hettinger Research Extension Center. The event will provide guidance on how to use the record book and better understand the information it generates.
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle