Birth Data includes birth date and birth weight, calving ease scores and udder scores. It is important to get all of the data on the entire calf crop but if a data point is not available, such as birth weight, please do not guess what the weight was. A missing datapoint is much better than an inaccurate data-point.
Birth weight records should be collected on calves within 24 hours after birth. Hoof tapes are an acceptable method to measure birth weight, but please indicate when a tape is used and use the same method for the entire calving season.
Calving Ease Score indicates how easily a calf was born. If a calf’s birth was unobserved (hence unassisted), use a 1 as the primary score.
1 = Born unassisted
2 = Easy pull
3 = Hard pull
4 = Cesarean
5 = Abnormal presentation
Udder and Teat Scores should be collected within 24 hours of calving. Two scores are assigned based on udder suspension (1–9; with 9 being very tight and 1 being very pendulous) and teat size (1–9 with 9 being very small and 1 being large and misshapen). Ideally one person scores all the udders/teats during the calving season for consistency.
