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applications of this feature are the Progeny Testing
Programme, wherein the performance of different
sires can be evaluated on various farms under varying
conditions. It can also be used as a component of the
Herd Registration Scheme to compile performance
data from various locations.
3.15 Ease of analysis
Data generated by herd management software can be
easily converted to MS-Excel, MS-Access or any
other database format and subjected to statistical
analysis for evaluating various factors influencing
performance.
3.16 Integration with newer technologies
Herd management software is an essential requirement
in case the farm manager wishes to implement newer
technologies like Radio Frequency Identification
Devices (RFID), advanced machine milking etc. in
order to improve farm efficiency.
3.17 Eco-friendly
In times when livestock are being blamed by various
organizations for causing more global warming than
all the world’s automobiles combined, computerized,
paper-less farm records are more eco-friendly, and
their contribution to saving the environment, by way
of increasing efficiency and decreasing the number of
livestock which need to be reared, would be
substantial.
4 Limitations of Herd Management Software
in the Indian Context
4.1 Lack of indigenous software
Absence of commercially available software with
technical support, local terminology and availability in
regional languages is the single foremost factor which
has prevented the large-scale usage of herd
management software in India.
4.2 Negligent attitude towards productivity
There is a very casual attitude toward efficiency of
production, especially in the agricultural sector. In
most dairy farms, the only parameter in which the
owner is interested is the total milk yield produced by
the herd every day; individual records are rarely
maintained. Given such a situation, motivating the
farm owners to take up computerized farm recording
would be a major challenge.
4.3 Lack of computer awareness
With the computer becoming omnipresent from
primary schools to financial institutions, this factor is
not such an insurmountable one, especially given the
fact that most modern dairy farms are located in
semi-urban areas.
4.4 Infrastructure requirements
A dust-free room and stable power with adequate
backup are essential requirements. These should not
be such a major encumbrance in any large-scale dairy
farm.
5 Conclusions
Management of a dairy enterprise has always required
versatile. Most dairy operations in India are too small
to economically employ a person from each of these
fields of expertise, but should hire consultant from
areas, who can help in providing software or can help
in developing computer programmes for specific uses
at dairy farm. Herd management software is easy
management, better reproductive efficiency in dairy
farm and also increase profitability in dairy business
venture. It’s also helpful in veterinary consultation to
accurate diagnosis typical gynecological diseases.
6 Recommendations
Thus, simple, easy-to-use, efficient and cost-effective
herd management software would greatly aid the
manager of an organized dairy farm to make decisions
based on real-time data as well as to analyze various
parameters instantly, thus greatly increasing
managerial effectiveness and profitability, and
enabling him to manage larger herds. It is, therefore,
imperative that leading veterinary institutions in India
take the initiative in developing and popularizing herd
management software.
The use of ICT to contribute to sustainable growth in
livestock production in India is not a matter of
providing computers and Internet connectivity or
"computerization" of livestock research and
development institutions. It is of developing effective
information systems for planning and monitoring
livestock development programs, improving livestock