Vermont DHIA

Vermont DHIA members have the option of processing their records with DRMS or remaining independent and "self-processing". (For more information on DRMS, visit their website at http://www.drms.org.)

Processed records provide a number of benefits over non-processed records. When a test-day is processed at DRMS, the data is sent through a number of checks or "edits" to make sure it is as uniform and accurate as possible. The data is then summarized in various ways and available to the producer in a number of different reports and graphs. Some of the more popular reports can be found on the DRMS website here. Much of the data is backed up on DRMS' servers and is available in the event a producer's computer crashes. Data is also available for consultants and third-parties to download (see our Privacy page for more information). Processed records can be shared with USDA Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory (AIPL) who use compiled data from herds across the country for research purposes and to improve various calculations and models (such as lactation curves). Breed Associations use processed data to verify cow records and, along with AI organizations, use the data to help prove sires. Many AI organizations also offer young-sire programs that are only available to processed herds.

Non-processed records provide a lower-cost alternative to processing, but have no DCR values associated with them. Data from non-processed herds never leaves the farm, except where samples are tested for milk components in our lab, and is unavailable to breed associations, AI organizations, USDA-AIPL, and other allied industry partners. Limited summary information and reports are available for those herds that choose not to process through the use of an "independent" version of PCDART herd management software. Consultants can access herd and cow information, but only by copying it directly from the producer's PCDART program.

Note: While DRMS provides a backup of important data as of the most recent test-day for processed herds, both processed and non-processed herds using PCDART are strongly encouraged to manually backup their computer on a regular basis.