AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION - THE BUSINESS BREED

A DATA CHECKLIST 

At time of birth, record:

  • Calf tag
  • Sire
  • Dam
  • Date of birth
  • Sex  
  • Single or twin
  • Embryo transfer (ET) calf (IVF or conventional)
  • Recipient Cow - if an ET calf
  • Birth weight
  • Calving ease score
  • Dam teat and udder score  

Need help keeping your records straight?

Read more

Black Angus calf stopping to look at the camera in the pasture.

order your Black Books

Easily record and reference your data while working cattle in the field.

Members - just pay shipping on your first two books.

A large amount of Angus black books in a basket.

DATA COLLECTION BY TRAIT

When to measure:

Within 24 hours of birth.

How to measure:

Must be measured with a scale in pounds. Cannot be measured with a tape or estimated.  

When to score:

At birth.

How to score:

Use the 1-5 scoring system:

  1. No Assistance  
  2. Some Assistance  
  3. Mechanical Assistance  
  4. Cesarian Delivery  
  5. Abnormal Delivery  
Score all females:

Only scores on heifers are used in the genetic evaluation, but it is helpful to track the data on all calves born in the herd for management purposes.  

When to score:

Twenty four hours before or after calf birth, which is when the udder would be fullest.

How to score:

Evaluate both the teat size and udder suspension on a scale of 1 to 9 on the combined worst quarter for both traits.

Females should be given a separate score for both traits.

Teat:

Consider both length and diameter.

Udder:

Evaluate on suspension – ranging from very pendulous to very tight.

View the Teat & Udder Scoring Guide

How-To: Udder Scoring Cattle

Calculating gestation time?

Use our gestation calculator tool to determine gestation time on females. 

REPORT FOSTERED CALVES

Report the foster dam tag on the birth record of the calf.
When calves are fostered after birth to a dam that did not give birth to them (e.g. birth dam dies, birth dam has little milk, calf was a twin, etc.), the foster event needs to be recorded.

A black Angus calf getting ready to nurse it's mother.

Disposal codes count

Don’t forget to report disposal codes on calves that are born but do not survive or do not remain in the herd until weaning. Birth and parent data can still be submitted on the calf’s birth record.

Small Angus calf looking straight ahead in front of other cattle.

COLLECT DNA

DNA samples for parent verification and other uses can be collected at birth.

Herd Management On The Go

Download the free Angus Mobile App to update your calving book and view your herd inventory from anywhere.

MAXIMIZE YOUR DATA

Inventory reporting

Whole herd reporting through AHIR’s Inventory Reporting program can help you leverage your data and ensure your herd is on track to meet your goals. 

Enroll
EPDs explained

Collecting and submitting data on your herd improves the accuracy of your cattle’s EPDs. It is important to understand how the data is used in individual EPDs.

Learn more