FAQs
Q. How do I register for Bovitrak?
Click the Log in link on any page of www.beefconcepts.com and fill in the registration form. A customer support representative will contact you shortly to confirm your registration details and give you a tour of the system.
Q. Is Bovitrak compatible with handheld data collection readers?
Yes. The animal only needs to be tagged with a radio-frequency identification tag or bar-coded ear tag.
Q. What kind of computer do I need to have?
All you need is a standard web browser and Internet connection. Bovitrak is accessible 24/7, from any location.
Q. What kind of reports will I get? How often?
You can generate inventory reports and projected marketing reports just as soon as you enter data. Data can also be exported from Bovitrak for further reporting and analysis.
Below is a sample list of the reports generated from Bovitrak.
- Summary
- Market Forecast & Loan Coverage
- Calving Summary by Calf Breed and Gender
- Weaning Summary by Dam Age
- Calving Summary by Dam Age
- Weaning Summary by Sire
- Calving Summary by Sire
- Weaning Summary by Bull Bank
- Calving Summary by Bull Bank
- Animal Death Details
- Manifest
- Feed Conversion Report
Q. Will I be able to see information from both previous and future owners?
Yes. Information collected by prior owners will automatically appear in the animal file. Anyone who has owned the animal and who has registered and entered information regarding that animal is able to access information, even after it has left their possession. Unique animal identification allows cross referencing to user name and PIN numbers so that only those who actually owned that animal will have access to the data available for that animal. Users have the option to keep their name and contact information confidential.
Q. What happens if a tag gets lost?
Bovitrak allows for replacement of tags and can deal with multiple identification systems – for example, you can identify animals by their breed registration. Often it is possible for Bovitrak software to rebuild a data file from partial information.
Q. Do I have to enter information for each animal if they all get the same treatment?
No. You can enter data for groups of animals as identified in the Bovitrak system.
Q. Can carcass data be viewed on Bovitrak?
Yes. Bovitrak is compatible with the systems in place in all-major processing plants. As animals pass through the system and processors subscribe to Bovitrak, the database expands and more of this information is available to subscribers.
Q. How do I identify the calves in the records?
Cattle are tagged with unique ear tags. The Bovitrak system is also compatible with radio-frequency identification (RF-ID) and barcoded ear tags. Machine-readable tags can be read with a handheld or stationary scanner.
Q. How do I add animal information into Bovitrak?
Initially, the animal's data is keyed into the system through the "Add Animal" function, accessible from the top menu. All information on a specific animal is captured on a form. Animal records can also be created in the field using the Bovitrak Mobile data collection unit and then uploaded to the Bovitrak application. This information is then stored in the Bovitrak database for future use.
Q. How do I search for animals?
Click on the "Search Animals" top menu option to bring up the animal search page. Then enter your animal search criteria and press the "Search" button. Note that the box located at the left of this animal search page allows you to enter any combination of Management ID, Bovitrak ID, registration number or registration name. Cattle can also be searched by type, status, birth date, breeding status, weight parameters, etc.
Q. Can I modify animal information?
Select the "Search Animal" function, accessible from the top menu – now you're able to search for the animal. From the search results, simply click on the "View" link to open a specific animal's file. You then click on the link "Click here to modify".
Q. How do I cancel an animal?
If you create an animal by mistake, simply search for the animal and click "cancel animal" at the bottom of the animal details page.
Q. How do I record an event against a set of animals?
Begin by searching for the animals involved in that event. The search results page allows you to further refine your selection of animals by unchecking those that should not be associated with the event that you want to record. Now, select an event at the bottom of the search results page, and press the "Record" button.
Q. How do I modify event information?
This is done by searching for this event using the "Search Event" function, accessible from the top menu. From the search results, click on the "View" link to open a specific event's file. You can then click on "Click here to modify".
Q. How do I cancel an event?
Simply modify its status to "Cancelled".
Q. What is the difference between 'event group information' and 'event individual information'?
Event information can be applicable to one specific animal or a group of animals. You can save data entry time by recording against a set of animals rather than on a per-animal basis. The 'event group information' relates to the event information that is applicable to each animal associated to an event. The 'event individual information' is specific to each individual animal. You can combine these two types of information to save even more data entry time. For example, the weighing and weaning events allow you to capture an average weight at the group level, and an individual weight for each animal associated with this event. This average weight is used as a default weight, which can be overridden at the individual level.
Q. If I edit an event, I can check or uncheck an "Associated" checkbox. What's the purpose of that checkbox?
A number of animals are associated with an event when the event is first created. You might realize later that one or more animals should not be associated with this event. To indicate that an animal should no longer be associated with an event, simply uncheck the checkbox.
Q. When I cancel an animal or an event, or when I dissociate an animal from an event, why is this information still visible to me?
The Bovitrak database does not allow the destruction of information, as it can eventually be used for auditing purposes. Therefore, every change made to the data is kept in the database.
Q. How do I create a group of animals?
Simply search the desired animals and create a group assignment event in the record event section.
Q. Animal information seems to change automatically from time to time. Why?
Animal information might change automatically because Bovitrak supports automated transitions on a number of dynamic indicators. For example, by entering a castration event against a bull calf, the animal's type will automatically change to steer calf.
Q. What are the most important automated transitions?
The following events generate automated transitions:
- Death: animal status changed to "Dead"
- Kill and Grade: animal status changed to "Processed"
- Weaning and weighing: animal weight updated
- Weaning: bull calf becomes a bull, steer calf becomes a steer, and heifer calf becomes a heifer
- Castration: bull calf becomes a steer calf, bull becomes a steer
- Artificial insemination and natural breeding: heifer calf becomes a heifer
- Birth: Heifer and heifer calf becomes a cow
Q. Can I override the animal information changed by an automated transition?
No, Animal information must be changed by modifying or cancelling the appropriate event.
Q. What happens when an event is cancelled or modified, or when an animal is dissociated or associated with an event?
Changes made to animals through automated transitions are recomputed automatically by Bovitrak. For example, if you cancel a weaning event, a heifer will return to its initial status of heifer calf.
Q. How do I obtain a list of my animals on paper?
Search for the targeted animals. In the reports section, simple create a "Summary" or "Animal Details" report.
Q. How do I evaluate the current or future value of my animals?
First, search for the animals you are interested in. In the reports section, select the "Market Forecast & Loan Coverage" report. Follow the instructions that appear on the next page.
Q. How does Bovitrak determine the current or future value of my animals?
Bovitrak is directly linked with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. We update our database with their information every night.
Q. How do I manage my Bovitrak account?
You have several options available from the top menu, "My Profile" and "Administration".
Q. Bovitrak allows me to create additional user accounts. Why?
Bovitrak encourages the creation of a user account for every person who will use Bovitrak to manage your animals. Sharing a Bovitrak user account with another herd is never recommended, as this will prevent you from collecting accurate auditing information.
Q. Who should I call if I need more information?
Please call or email our customer support representatives. You will find our contact information by clicking on the link "About Us" on every page.
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