Breeding Records, EPDs and EBVs
Breeding records preserve exposure dates, identities, measurements, and professional findings. An EPD or EBV is a published genetic estimate with its own program definitions. Keep the source of each clear.
Before exposure
Keep a dated female list and the intended group. For each bull or ram examined, retain the examination date, examiner, reported result, and original report. Record the result as issued; an examination record is not a guarantee of future fertility.
Keep body-condition observations with the scale and observer. Store professional instructions separately from the observation. The ewe condition worksheet provides those fields.
Record actual exposure
Breeding exposure
| Group | Female IDs | Male IDs | In date | Out date | Service date/method if known | Observer | Source/uncertainty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Record changes to the female and male lists during the period. Distinguish an observed service, a group exposure, and confirmed parentage. A male in the group does not establish which offspring he sired.
Keep pregnancy-examination results with their date, method, examiner, and report. For birth or later weights, preserve the actual measurement, unit, date, and age information requested by the receiving program.
Preserve published genetic estimates
| Field | What to retain |
|---|---|
| Animal identity | Registration and farm IDs |
| Program | Evaluation provider, species and population |
| Publication | Evaluation date and original report or lookup |
| Trait | Exact name, definition and unit |
| Estimate | Value as published, with accuracy or reliability as labelled |
| Comparison context | Base, index version, and program comparison rules |
Use Canadian Angus's collection guide for its codes and submission definitions, and GenOvis for its sheep evaluation guidance. Definitions and comparison rules belong to the program. Do not convert or compare values across programs without its instructions.
What Ranch.Bot stores
Ranch.Bot can keep exposure notes, report details, and animal or group links in generic records. Review dates and links before saving. It does not calculate EPDs or EBVs, verify parentage, or submit an evaluation on your behalf. The seedstock guide covers the supporting documentation to retain.