Automation of Flock Management and Establishment of Decision Support Systems for Small Ruminant Production

Abstract

This study is carried out to automate the small ruminant (sheep and goat) records and to use these records more effectively for animal breeding. It was aimed to calculate breeding values for animals by using this software. Additionally, it was aimed to calculate breeding values in terms of milk yield for male animals by using progeny testing (average offspring yield) which otherwise could not be measured by direct methods. Decision support systems, which help to decision making for flock owners and animal breeding persons, have been enhanced by using this software. Decision support systems such as determining of animals to be sold because of old age, determining of offspring that they have unknown father, accurately determining of yields of animals, health managements, determining of culling animals from flock were put into service of user as a tool. Appropriate software SURPRO V1.0 was written by use of Visual basic 6.0 and MsAccess was used as database with this objective in mind. © 2009 Academic Journals Inc.