For those producers without a computer of their own, we continue to offer paper records, including herd summary reports from DRMS, special reports and graphs, and our Vermont DHIA Hotsheet for your lab results. Members who have internet access (regardless of whether they use PCDART or not) can also access many of their paper records online through DRMS by using WebReports.
Whether you choose to use a computer with PCDART and/or PocketDairy or if you choose to receive paper-only records following your test, there is no effect on your DCR - it's purely a management choice for you. Both PCDART and PocketDairy programs are relatively low-cost, when compared to other herd management software, and can provide you with a wealth of information at your fingertips. WebReports incur a nominal fee (once per test period) for accessing them and also have no effect on your DCR.
PCDART
Using PCDART herd management software on your farm allows you to enter information and keep up-to-date on your herd and the animals in it between test-days. Along with electronic versions of herd summary reports, you have easy access to other helpful pre-made reports and graphs and can create your own. For herds with electronic meter systems, daily milkweights can transfer into PCDART to build a more complete daily production history of your animals.PCDART is also available for herds that do not process their records through DRMS, providing useful herd summary data and management reports where paper records would not be available.
PocketDairy
PocketDairy provides a means to input and look-up detailed individual cow information, to-do lists, and mini-reports for your herd while you are away from your primary computer. Using a handheld computer, PocketDairy provides access to your animals whenever and wherever you need it - even in the barn!PocketDairy can be used in conjunction with PCDART on your farm, or can be used independently and "synced" with your DHIA technician's computer on test-day.
WebReports
WebReports provide a means for both PCDART users and non-PCDART users to access their test-day summary reports and graphs from DRMS online. Online access means you can see your herd summary and test-day results sooner, without the need to wait for them in the mail. Since WebReports are electronic, you can also print them out yourself and make as many copies and share them as much as you like.For more information on software and technology solutions, please visit our Software and Technology page.
