The Calving and Weaning Report is utilized by many breeders as their first introduction to Beef Improvement Records (AHIR). The report is a listing of all registered and commercial females in your herd that are 12 months old or older at time of printing. If you have data to report for commercial dams that are not listed on the report, a herd ID and birthdate is required.

To complete the calving information, you will fill in the sire's registration number (breeders can also enter a sire's tag number or within-herd I.D. number), calf tag number and tattoo, sex, actual birthdate (mm/dd/yy), birth weight and calving ease score. Birth weights must be measured by a scale and reported in pounds. Estimated birth weights from other methods are not accepted (e.g., hoof circumference or heart girth body weight tapes). As your calves are born, it is important to consistently weigh within 24 hours. The birth code column is for reporting any irregular calving situation, including death loss or the sale of calves pre-weaning.

Weigh Calves Between 120-280 Days

The date calves are weighed at weaning and the actual weight is placed in the first column under calf weight data. The acceptable range for weaning weights is between 120 and 280 days of age.

Enter Management Codes (**Required Field**)

The column for management code designates whether or not the calves were creep-fed or supplied supplemental feeding. Non-creep fed calves are reported as code 1 and creep-fed calves are reported as code 3. The management code must be completed before weights will be processed.

Enter Group Code (**Required Field**)

Knowledge of calves that are "contemporaries" is critical for accurate data evaluation. A group code is used to designate a set of calves managed differently from another set of calves. Calves from different groups or pasture units are designated by using a letter code such as A, B, C, etc. For example, calves from two-year old dams in one pasture may be reported as Group A and calves from mature cows in another pasture as Group B.

Breeders submitting weaning weights also have the option to have heifers and bulls (or steers) treated as separate sex groups and ratioed as separate sex groups, or treated as an entire calf crop with males and females adjusted to a bull basis and ratioed as a group. Use the group code to separate the sex groups of calves, if desired. If not instructed differently, each weaning group is treated as one unit for calculating ratios. A contemporary code is required when submitting calving and weaning weights.

Enter Optional Data

An optional column is included for a weaning hip height and scrotal circumference. When reporting heights, submit actual hip height. Also, location may be specified. User-defined codes may be placed in the custom field.

When to Send in Weights

As soon as a group of calves have been weighed, you should mail the Calving and Weaning Report in the envelope provided. A new Calving and Weaning Report will then be sent to you with the Weaning Summary.

When to Collect Cow Data

Cows should be measured for weight, hip height, and condition score within +/- 45 days of the calf's weaning measure date.  It is important to collect this information after the cow has weaned her first calf, and subsequent years.  A body condition score must be included with the cow weight in order for data to be utilized in the National Cattle Evaluation.

Cow Body Condition Scores

1. Severely emaciated. All ribs and bone structure easily visible. Very little visible muscle tissue, physically weak.
2. Emaciated. Similar to score one, but not weakened. Little visible muscle tissue.
3. Very thin. No fat on ribs or brisket. More apparent muscling than on condition score two. Backbone easily visible.
4. Thin or with ribs easily visible, but shoulders and hindquarters show fair muscling. Backbone visible.
5. Moderate to thin. Last two or three ribs can be seen. Little evidence of fat on brisket, over ribs, or around tail head.
6. Good condition. Smooth appearance throughout. Slight fat deposition on brisket and over tail head. Ribs covered, and backs appear slightly rounded.
7. Very good condition. Brisket full. Tail head shows pockets of fat. Back appears well rounded due to fat. Ribs very smooth.
8. Obese. Back square due to fat. Brisket distended. Heavy fat pockets around tail head. Neck thick.
9. Rarely seen. Very obese. Similar to condition score eight, except more extreme. Heavy deposition of udder fat.

Cow Disposal and Reason Codes

For complete herd inventory analysis, each cow listed on the Calving and Weaning Report must have birth or weaning data, a Disposal Code or a Reason Code listed.

Disposal Codes Any cow leaving the herd throughout the production cycle must be given a disposal date (mm/dd/yy) and a disposal code. Disposal codes are listed below.

28. Culled - Eye Problem
29. Culled - Miscellaneous
30. Sold - certificate not transferred, if applicable
31. Culled - teat and udder
32. Culled - feet and legs
33. Culled - fertility
34. Culled - productivity/progeny performance
35. Culled - temperament
36. Culled - age
37. Died

Reason Codes

If a cow remains in your herd, but does not have a calving or weaning record for the current year, please complete the reason code for her to remain as an active dam in your herd.

50. Open, cow missed calving opportunity
51. ET program/donor dam
52. Cow moved to next calving season
53. ET program/recipient cow
54. Aborted/premature

Temperament Codes

Temperament codes may be reported on:

1. Cows when they wean their calves
2. Calves when yearling data is reported

Codes	Description
1 Docile	Mild disposition. Gentle and easily handled. Stands and moves slowly during processing. Undisturbed, settled, somewhat dull. Does not pull on headgate when in chute. Exits chute calmly.
2 Restless	Quieter than average, but may be stubborn during processing. May try to back out of chute or pull back on headgate. Some flicking of tail. Exits chute promptly.
3 Nervous	Typical temperament is manageable, but nervous and impatient. A moderate amount of struggling, movement and tail flicking. Repeated pushing and pulling on headgate. Exits chute briskly.
4 Flighty (Wild)	Jumpy and out of control, quivers and struggles violently. May bellow and froth at the mouth. Continuous tail flicking. Defecates and urinates during processing. Frantically runs fence line and may jump when penned individually. Exhibits long flight distance and exits chute wildly.
5 Aggressive	May be similar to Score 4, but with added aggressive behavior, fearfulness, extreme agitation, and continuous movement which may include jumping and bellowing while in chute. Exits chute frantically and may exhibit attack behavior when handled alone.
6 Very Aggressive	Extremely aggressive temperament. Thrashes about or attacks wildly when confined in small, tight places. Pronounced attack behavior.