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Format 6E - PUBLIC

Category

Pedigree, production, reproduction and health data

Meaning

Format 6E's are error records of health events.

Exchange protocol

CDCB receives Format6 information from DRPC and some studs on a regular basis.

Current format

Byte
Position(s)		 Num
Bytes		 Field
Format (1)		 Data
Type (86)		 Ref
Note(s)		 Field Description
1 1 X CH 13 Species code of the animal
2 1 A CH 111 Sex code of the animal
Animal Identification Information
3-4 2 AA CH 4 Breed code of animal (alpha code only, no zeros)
5-7 3 AAA CH 119 Country code of ID origin
8-19 12 AA..AA CH Identification number of animal (registration or eartag)
Sire Identification Information
20-21 2 AA CH 4 Breed code of animal (alpha code only, no zeros)
22-24 3 AAA CH 119 Country code of ID origin
25-36 12 AA..AA CH Identification number of animal (registration or eartag)
Dam Identification Information
37-38 2 AA CH 4 Breed code of animal (alpha code only, no zeros)
39-41 3 AAA CH 119 Country code of ID origin
42-53 12 AA..AA CH Identification number of animal (registration or eartag)
Cross Reference Identification Information
54-55 2 AA CH 4 Breed code of ID (alpha code only, no zeros)
56-58 3 AAA CH 119 Country code of ID origin
59-70 12 AA..AA CH Identification number of animal (registration or eartag)
71-78 8 XX..XX CH 88 Birth date of animal (YYYYMMDD)
79 1 A CH 120 Source code
80-87 8 XX..XX CH 20 Processing Date (YYYYMMDD)
88 1 A CH 121 Record type code (H = health record)
89 1 X CH 122 Pedigree verification code
90 1 X CH Record version code = 1 (May 2006 version)
91 1 X CH 24 Multiple birth code
92-93 2 AA CH 130 Registry status
94-99 6 00..00 CH Zeroes: Available for future use
100 1 X CH 85 Change in cow's information
101 1 X CH 85 Change in cow's ancestor information
102-103 2 XX CH 16 DRPC/DMS code
104-106 3 XXX CH 117 Field Service Affiliate code
Animal Herd Code Information
107-108 2 XX CH 5 State code
109-110 2 XX CH County code
111-114 4 XXXX CH Herd number
115-119 5 XXXXX CH Cow control number
120-125 6 00..00 CH Zeroes: Available for future use
126 1 A CH 123 Lactation type code ('P' = No production data provided)
127 1 X CH 124 Lactation verification code
128-135 8 XX..XX CH 169 Calving date (YYYYMMDD)
136-137 2 XX CH Number of health event segments
Health Event Segments (up to 20 segments)
Health Event Segment Block (# 1)
138-141 4 AAAA CH 170 Health event code
142-149 8 XX..XX CH Health event date (YYYYMMDD)
150 1 A CH OBSOLETE, should be blank
(was health event date type (A = actual; E = estimated)
151-156 6 AA..AA CH Health event detail
157-175 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 2
176-194 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 3
195-213 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 4
214-232 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 5
233-251 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 6
252-270 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 7
271-289 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 8
290-308 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 9
309-327 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 10
328-346 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 11
347-365 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 12
366-384 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 13
385-403 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 14
404-422 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 15
423-441 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 16
442-460 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 17
461-479 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 18
480-498 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 19
499-517 19 AA..AA CH Health event segment block # 20
518 1 A CH 110 Disposition Code
Error Record Information 519-740 (up to 6 segments 37x6)
519-521 3 AAA CH 114 Error code
Conflicting or Changed Identification
522-523 2 XX CH 4 Breed code of animal (alpha code only, no zeros)
524-526 3 XXX CH 119 Country code of ID origin
527-538 12 XX...XX CH Identification number of animal (registration or eartag)
539-546 8 XX...XX CH Calving date or birth date (YYYYMMDD)
Herd Code Information
547-548 2 XX CH 5 State code
549-550 2 XX CH County code
551-554 4 XXXX CH Herd number
555 1 X CH 120 Source code
576-592 37 XX...XX CH Error Segment #2
593-629 37 XX...XX CH Error Segment #3
630-666 37 XX...XX CH Error Segment #4
667-703 37 XX...XX CH Error Segment #5
704-740 37 XX...XX CH Error Segment #6

DISCUSSION

Format 6 is identical to format 5 through byte 137. Like format 5, a number of health event segments may be stored in each record. A format 6 record begins with a calving event and ends prior to a subsequent calving or with the disposal of an animal. Heifer records will be handled in the same manner as reproductive events. For a heifer, the calving date will be blank. A heifer record will capture all health events prior to the first calving.

Format 6 can capture not only disease incidence, but also disease severity information when it's available. A two-level system is proposed for describing health events and consists of the health event code and the health event detail (optional). The format is designed to record disease incidence data rather than disease or preventative treatment data. Note that several event details require values to be "zero-filled." In all cases, values should be LEFT zero-filled. For example, if values 1 to 9 are required to be 2 bytes, values should be entered as 01 to 09.

Similar to the strategy used for test-day and reproductive event data, up to 20 events may be reported per format 6 record, and multiple format 6 records may be reported per lactation. All health events for which codes have been defined should be forwarded in format 6 records. Events for which a code has not been defined will not be stored.

Health event code For the data provided in format 6 to be of optimum value for research, a standard set of codes for health events should be encouraged throughout DHI. The following set of uniform health event codes has been developed in conjunction with bovine practitioners, dairy records processing personnel, and other interested parties in order to maximize the likelihood of being accepted on a widespread basis.
Health event date The date on which the health event occurred or was observed. If the date of the health event is not known, the date provided should be the best guess of the date the event occurred, and should be coded with an 'E' for estimated. If the date of the health event is known with certainty, it should be coded as 'A' for actual.
Health event detail (optional) To help dairy producers deal with specific problems of high economic impact such as clinical mastitis in which a causative organism may be known, additional details may be provided. The associated causative organism can be recorded in the health event detail field. For example, there will be a single mastitis code in the health event code field and an accompanying note of the organism in the health event detail field if the producer chooses to supply it (Health event code: 'MAST' Health event detail: 'FR-R--' indicating Staphylococcus aureus of unknown severity in the front right quarter). Examples of health event details are provided in the "Sample Health Event Segments" section.

HEALTH EVENT CODES

Descriptions and four-character codes for the health events to be reported are presented below. Diseases were selected for inclusion in Format 6 based on an analysis of events reported in field data, as well as on their frequency of occurrence and economic impact as reported in the literature. Format 6 is an extensible format and additional health event codes can be defined as necessary to accommodate future needs. The four-character codes are for data transmission purposes and do not need to be made visible to the user of the on-farm management system.

Description Standard Code 1 Usage 2
Health traits
Cystic Ovary CYST Y
Diarrhea/Scours DIAR N
Digestive Problem/Off Feed DIGE Y
Displaced Abomasum DA-- Y
Downer Cow DOWN Y
Dystocia DYST Y
Johne's Disease/Paratuberculosis JOHN Y
Ketosis/Acetonemia KETO Y
Lameness LAME Y
Leukosis (bovine leukemia virus) LEUK Y
Mastitis (clinical) MAST Y
Metritis METR Y
Milk Fever/Hypocalcemia MFEV 3 Y
Nervous System Problem NERV Y
Reproductive problem other than
CYST, DYST, METR, RETP 		REPR Y
Respiratory Problem RESP Y
Retained Placenta RETP Y
Stillbirth/Perinatal Survival STIL Y
Teat Injury TEAT N
Udder Edema EDEM Y
Management Traits
Body Condition Score BCS- Y
Locomotion Score LOCO Y
Milking Speed MSPD Y
Temperament/Behavior BHAV 3 Y
Control Codes
Delete records for the specified
health event date 		DELE Y

1 Hyphens ('-') are used to indicate empty columns when an event code is less than 4 bytes. Those columns should be filled with blanks (spaces) in files sent to CDCB.
2 N = No additional information is provided in the "Usage Notes"; Y = Additional information, including the format and contents of the Health Event Detail field, is described in the "Usage Notes" below.
3 The standard codes for Milk Fever/Hypocalcemia and Temperament/ Behavior were represented by MILK and TEMP, respectively, in previous versions. They have been changed to MFEV and BHAV, respectively, to reduce confusion in the field.

Dystocia and stillbirth data are currently received by CDCB in a separate format from lactation and reproductive records. Inclusion of these traits may lead to improved reporting and improve our ability to accurately model the impact of dystocia and stillbirth on production. These data will complement, rather than replace, data currently collected for these traits.

Abortions are not included in Format 6 because they are already included in Format 4.

HEALTH EVENT DETAIL

Body Condition Score

The health event detail field must contain the body condition score to two decimal places multiplied by 100, e.g. 2.00 would be reported as 200 and 3.25 as 325. Valid body condition scores range from 1.00 to 5.00, and valid scores in the BCS event detail field range from 100 to 500. The health event detail field for a BCS record has the following format:

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Body condition score 1-3 3 200, 325, etc.
Reserved for future use 4-6 3 blanks

See an example record for Body Condition Score (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Cystic Ovaries

Cystic ovaries are defined as those with follicles having a diameter of at least 2 cm present on at least one ovary without any active luteal tissue and clearly interfering with normal ovarian cyclicity. Cystic follicles can occur at any time throughout the lactation; however, the majority occurs within 60 days after calving. The major symptom of cystic ovarian follicles is temporary infertility or anestrus. Other symptoms can include irregular estrus intervals, nymphomania, relaxation of broad pelvic ligaments, and development of masculine physical traits.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Reserved for future use 1-6 6 blanks

See an example record for Cystic Ovaries (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Digestive Problem/Off Feed

A cow that is off feed should be classified as DIGE only when no other disease is present, e.g., a cow that is off feed because of lameness should be classified as LAME rather than as DIGE. If a cow is known to be affected by both a digestive problem, such as bloat, and a specific disease or health problem, segments may be generated for both events.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Reserved for future use 1-6 6 blanks

See an example record for Digestive Problem/Off Feed (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Displaced Abomasum

Displaced abomasum is a metabolic problem that typically requires veterinary intervention. It involves enlargement of the abomasum with fluid, gas, or both, causing migration of the abomasum to either the left or right side of the abdominal cavity. Right displaced abomasum is typically more critical due to the risk of torsion, which prevents digesta from continuing through the digestive tract. Codes used to distinguish between left (L) and right (R) displacement may be provided in the detail field.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Side of displacement 1 1 L, R, blank
Reserved for future use 2-6 5 blanks

See an example record for Displaced Abomasum (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Downer Cow

If a downer cow is known to be affected by a specific disease or health problem, records may be provided for both events. For example, if a cow has a difficult calving and then goes down, both DOWN and DYST segments may be reported.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Reserved for future use 1-6 6 blanks

Dystocia

The number of calves, followed by the calving ease score, can be recorded in the health event detail field. Calving ease scores should be provided for all births, regardless of difficulty, rather than scores only for difficult births. Scores should be assigned using the five-point scale: 1 = No problem; 2 = Slight problem; 3 = Needed assistance; 4 = Considerable force; 5 = Extreme difficulty. The health event detail field for a DYST record has the following format:

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Number of calves born 1 1 1-3, blank
Calving ease score 2-4 1-3 1-5 (one score per calf delivered), blank
Reserved for future use 3,4, or 5-6 2-4 blanks

See an example record for Dystocia (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Johne's Disease (Paratuberculosis)

A number of different diagnostic tests may be used to test for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, including ELISA, fecal culture, and PCR-based tests. Event details include the type of test used, the associated test score, and the diagnosis assigned by the laboratory performing the test.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Diagnostic test 1 1 G, I, L, O, P, R, or S
Score 2 or NA 0-4 000 to 400 (raw score × 100) for type G, zero-filled;
0000 to 1000 (raw score × 100) for type I, zero-filled;
00 to 42 for type L, zero-filled;
No score is reported for type O;
000 to 420 ([raw score + 0.20] × 100) for type P, zero-filled;
00 to 44 for type R, zero-filled;
0000 to 0300 or TNTC (too numerous to count) for type S, zero-filled
Johne's status 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 1 P for positive, N for negative
Reserved for future use 3, 4, or 5-6 or NA 0-4 blanks

Diagnostic test

The type of diagnostic test used is indicated by a one-character code assigned as follows:

Code Test type Reference (website)
G Fecal PCR (gel-based) -
I IDEXX Laboratories Mycobacterium paratuberculosis test kits IDEXX Laboratories
L Fecal culture (liquid media) -
O Other test (histology, acid fast stain, etc.) -
P ParaCheck milk ELISA Prionics
R Fecal PCR (real-time) -
S Fecal culture (solid media) -

NOTE: Mention of specific product names does not constitute an endorsement on the part of the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding.

See an example record for Johne's Disease (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Ketosis

Ketosis is a metabolic disease that occurs when the cow is in a severe state of negative energy balance. In this state, the cow mobilizes large quantities of body fat but cannot convert this to energy through the usual pathways. Instead, ketone bodies are produced, which in small amounts can be used by the cow for energy. However, when ketone production is high, the cow cannot use all the ketone bodies for energy and ketone levels increase in the blood. Ketosis often occurs post-calving, when the cow is mobilizing excess body fat to meet the demands of milk production. Cows that are over-conditioned at calving are particularly at risk. Ketosis can also occur due to ingestion of poor quality silage.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Reserved for future use 1-6 6 blanks

See an example record for Ketosis (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Lameness

Lameness can be caused by several different factors including infectious pathogens (I), metabolic causes (M), or other noninfectious causes (O). These may be provided in the detail field. Further specification of the cause of lameness may also be included following the abbreviations listed below. Detailed images for many of the causes of lameness listed below can be viewed here: ICAR Claw Health Atlas

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
General cause of lameness 1 1 I, M, O, blank
Detailed cause of lameness 2-3 2 AB, DD, ID, HE, IP, SH, SU, TU, WL, CC, HF, IH, PT, TS, OO, blanks
Reserved for future use 4-6 3 blanks

Cause of lameness

General and/or specific cause of lameness can be described using the following acronyms:

Cause Abbreviation Synonymous Terms
Infectious I
Abscess AB
Digital dermatitis DD Hairy heel wart
Interdigital/superficial dermatitis ID
Heel erosion HE Slurry heel
Interdigital phlegmon IP Foot rot
Noninfectious / Metabolic M
Sole hemorrhage SH
Sole ulcer SU
Toe ulcer TU
White line disease WL
Noninfectious / Other O
Corkscrew claw CC
Horn fissure HF
Interdigital hyperplasia IH Corns
Physical trauma PT
Thin sole TS
Other OO Any specific cause not listed above

See an example record for Lameness (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Leukosis

Several different diagnostic tests may be used to test for the presence of bovine leukemia virus (BLV), including three ELISA-based tests and an immunidiffusion test. Event details include the type of test used, the associated test score, and the diagnosis assigned by the laboratory performing the test.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Diagnostic test 1 1 A, I, S, V
Score 2-4 3 000 to 900 (raw score × 100) for all tests, zero-filled
BLF infection status 5 1 P for positive, S for suspect, and N for negative
Reserved for future use 6 1 blank

Diagnostic Test

The type of diagnostic test used is indicated by a one-character code assigned as follows:

Code Test type Reference (website)
A AntelBio ELISA AntelBio
I IDEXX Laboratories Bovine Leukemia Virus/Enzootic Bovine Leukosis test kits IDEXX Laboratories
S Synbiotics Leucose Bovine AGID Synbiotics Corporation
V VMRD Bovine Leukemia Virus Antibody Test Kit VMRD, Inc.

NOTE: Mention of specific product names does not constitute an endorsement on the part of the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding.

See an example record for Leukosis (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Locomotion Score

Scores may be provided on either the 6-point scale of Hernandez et al. (2007) (H) or the 5-point scale of Sprecher et al. (1997) (S).

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Type of scale 1 1 H or S
Cow's locomotion score 2 1 1-6 for type H; 1-5 for type S
Reserved for future use 3-6 4 blanks

See an example record for Locomotion Score (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Mastitis (clinical)

The health event detail field for MAST events will store information on affected quarters, clinical appearance, and organisms. A separate health event segment should be generated for each infected quarter. Organisms should only be indicated when confirmed by a culture. The health event detail field for a MAST record has the following format:

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Affected quarter 1-2 2 FL, FR, RL, RR, blanks
Clinical appearance 3 1 1, 2, 3, blank
Organism 4 1 A, B, C, E, K, M, N, O, P, R, S, Y, blank
Reserved for future use 5-6 2 blanks

Affected quarter

The affected quarted is indicated by a two-character code where the first character is "F" for front or "R" for rear and the second character is "L" for left or "R" for right. Blanks in positions 1-2 indicate the presence of clinical mastitis but no indication was given of the quarter infected.

Clinical appearance

Clinical appearance is indicated by a one-character code assigned as follows:

Code Appearance
1 Quarter has abnormal milk, quarter is not swollen or inflamed, cow is not sick
2 Quarter has abnormal milk, quarter is swollen or inflamed, cow is not sick
3 Quarter has abnormal milk, quarter is swollen or inflamed, cow is sick

Organism

Organisms are indicated using a one-character code. Organisms are only identified when the quarter has been cultured. When no culture has been taken, a blank should be assigned to this byte.

Organism 1 Code
Corynebacterium bovis B
Escherichia coli E
Klebsiella spp. K
Mycoplasma spp. M
Psuedomonas aeruginosa P
Staphylococcus aureus R
Staphylococcus spp. (other than S. aureus) C
Streptococcus agalactiae A
Streptococcus spp. (other than S. agalactiae) S
Yeast Y
Other organism O
No culture taken blank
No growth on cultured plate N

1 spp. = species

See an example record for Mastitis (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Metritis

Metritis can refer to a general infection of the endometrium postpartum. More specifically, metritis is defined as inflammation resulting from infection of the uterus. Symptoms may include fever, red-brown watery foul-smelling uterine discharge, dullness, lack of appetite, increased heart rate, and decreased production. Risk factors of metritis include dystocia, retained placenta, stillbirth, twins, primiparity, calving in winter, and male calves.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Mucus character 1 1 0-3, blank
Mucus odor 2 1 0, 1, blank
Reserved for future use 3-6 4 blanks

Metritis severity

Severity of metritis based on mucus character and odor may be reported according to the following scale (Sheldon and Dobson, 2004):

Mucus Character Score
Clear or translucent mucus 0
Clear or translucent mucus containing flecks of white pus 1
Less than 50 mL (1/5 cup) exudate containing less than 50% white or cream pus 2
More than 50 mL (1/5 cup) exudate containing more than 50% white, cream, or bloody pus 3
Mucus odor Score
No unpleasant odor 0
Presence of offensive odor 1

See an example record for Metritis (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Milk Fever/Hypocalcemia

Milk fever or hypocalcemia is a metabolic problem that occurs when normal blood calcium levels cannot be maintained. Subclinical milk fever is typically defined as total blood calcium concentration less than 2 mmol/L, while clinical milk fever is defined as total blood calcium concentration less than 1.4 mmol/L. Symptoms of milk fever include partial to complete paralysis occurring close to calving (parturient paresis). Risk factors for milk fever include increasing age and over-conditioning.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Reserved for future use 1-6 6 blanks

See an example record for Milk Fever/Hypocalcemia (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Milking Speed

Either scores on an ordered scale or actual milking times must be provided. The type of measurement is specified in byte 1 of the health event detail field as "O" for an ordered scale and "T" for an actual time. The format of MSPD detail records differs according to the type of measurement used:

Ordered Scale ("O") Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Type of scale 1 1 O
Points on scale 2-3 2 01-99, zero-filled
Cow's milking speed 4-5 2 01-99, zero-filled, ≤ Points on scale value
Reserved for future use 6 6 blanks
Time ("T") Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Type of scale 1 1 T
Actual milking speed 2-5 4 Time (MM:SS) with no separator, zero-filled
Number of interruptions 6 1 0-9 or blank

Due to the lack of an industry-standard scale, the number of points on "O" scales must be provided, as well as the cow's milking speed on that scale. Ordered scales are assumed to begin with 01. The mean is assumed to lie in the middle of the range (e.g., 05 on a 09-point scale), with values larger than the mean corresponding to shorter milking times (faster speeds) and values smaller than the mean corresponding to longer milking times (slower speeds).
Actual milking times are reported in minutes and seconds. Note that no separator between minutes and seconds should be included in bytes 2-5 of an actual time ("T") record. Number of interruptions (little or no milk flow) during the milking process (e.g., number of times milking cups were reattached) may be included for records reporting the actual time. This may provide an indication of cow temperament. Multiple-byte numeric fields should be zero-filled. If the number of interruptions is not provided, position 6 should be blank.

See an example record for Milking Speed (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Nervous System Problem

Nervous system problems can result for several different reasons including metabolic conditions, bacterial or viral infections, or toxins. If a cow having nervous system problems is also known to be affected by a specific disease or health problem, segments may be provided for both events. Symptoms of nervous system problems include staggering (S), circling (O), depression (D), head tilting or pressing (H), paralysis (P), or coma (C).

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Symptoms 1-6 1-6 S, O, D, H, P, C, blank
Reserved for future use 2, 3, 4, or 5 – 6 or NA 0-5 blanks

See an example record for Nervous System Problem (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Reproductive Problem (other than CYST, DYST, METR, or RETP)

This field is reserved for reporting any reproductive problem not already specifically described. It may include problems such as nonspecific infection of the reproductive tract, anovulation, or twinning.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Reserved for future use 1-6 6 blanks

See an example record for Reproductive Problem (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Respiratory Problem

This trait include pneumonia and all other observed respiratory problems, such as bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), parainfluenza virus 3 (PI3), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), or infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR). Typical symptoms of respiratory problems include decreased appetite, cough, fever, abnormal nasal discharge, depression or lethargy, and increased respiratory rate. Respiratory problems are much more common in calves and young animals. The McGuirk and Peek (2014) standardized scoring system is detailed below and may be used to provide details on the symptoms exhibited. Images depicting each scoring level can be viewed here: Score Details.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Rectal temperature (F) 1 1 0-3, blank
Cough score 2 1 0-3, blank
Nasal discharge score 3 1 0-3, blank
Eye score 4 1 0-3, blank
Ear score 5 1 0-3, blank
Reserved for future use 6 1 blank

Clinical Symptoms

Each symptom may have a score ranging from 0 to 3 as detailed below:

Rectal temperature (F) Score
100-100.9 0
101-101.9 1
102-102.9 2
103 or above 3
Cough Score
No cough 0
Induce single 1
Induce repeated coughs or occasional spontaneous 2
Repeated spontaneous coughing 3
Nasal discharge Score
Normal, serous discharge 0
Small amount of unilateral, cloudy discharge 1
Bilateral, cloudy, or excessive mucus 2
Copious, bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge 3
Eye or ear symptoms Score
Normal eye and ear 0
Mild ocular discharge or ear flicking 1
Moderate bilateral ocular discharge or slight unilateral ear drop 2
Heavy ocular discharge, severe head tilt, or bilateral ear droop 3

See an example record for Respiratory Problem (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Retained Placenta

Retained placenta (RETP) is defined as the failure to expel fetal membranes within 24 hours following parturition. It may also be referred to as retained fetal membranes. RETP occurs when the calf's side of the placenta (the fetal membranes) fails to separate from the mother's side. The prominent sign associated with RETP is degenerating, discolored, ultimately fetid membranes hanging from the vulva. Occasionally, the retained membranes may remain within the uterus and not be readily apparent, in which case their presence may be signaled by a foul-smelling discharge. Retained placenta is most commonly associated with dystocia, milk fever (metabolic diseases), and twin births. Cows with retained fetal membranes are at increased risk of developing metritis, ketosis, mastitis, and even abortion in subsequent pregnancies.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Reserved for future use 1-6 6 blanks

See an example record for Retained Placenta (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Stillbirth/Perinatal Survival

The number of calves born, and a stillbirth score for each calf, may be recorded in the health event detail field. Stillbirth scores should be provided for all births rather than scores only for stillborn calves. Scores should be assigned using the three-point scale: 1 = Calf alive 48 hours after birth; 2 = Calf was born dead; 3 = Calf was born alive but died within 48 hours of birth. The health event detail field for a STIL record has the following format:

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Number of calves born 1 1 1-3, blank
Stillbirth score 2-4 1-3 1-3 (one score per calf born), blank
Reserved for future use 3, 4, or 5-6 2-4 blanks

See an example record for Stillbirth/Perinatal Survival (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Temperament/Behavior

A cow's termperament should be scored and reported on an ordered scale, much like the "O" type of milking speed measurement. Scales are assumed to begin with 01. The mean is assumed to lie in the middle of the range (e.g. 05 on a 09-point scale), with values larger than the mean corresponding to more desireable temperaments and values smaller than the mean corresponding to less desirable temperaments. Multiple-byte numeric fields should be zero-filled. The health event detail field for a BHAV record has the following format:

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Points on scale 1-2 2 01-99, zero-filled
Cow's temperament 3-4 2 01-99, zero-filled, ≤ points on scale value
Reserved for future use 5-6 2 blanks

See an example record for Temperament/Behavior (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Udder Edema

Udder edema is characterized by excessive accumulation of fluids in the intercellular tissue spaces of the udder and surrounding tissues. Accumulation of fluid begins at the base of the udder and may only affect one or two quarters. As the severity increases, the entire udder is affected and fluid may even spread to the abdominal area, thighs, and/or vulva. Due to the lack of an industry-standard scale, flexibility has been provided as to how severity is reported. The scale provided by Tucker et al., 1992 (shown below) may be used, or a self-defined scale may be used.

Tucker Scale ("T") Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Type of scale 1 1 T
Description of severity 2-3 2 00-10
Reserved for future use 4-6 3 blanks
Other Scale ("O") Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Type of scale 1 1 O
Points on scale 2-3 2 01-99, zero-filled
Description of severity 4-5 2 01-99, zero-filled, ≤ points on scale value
Reserved for future use 6 1 blank

Udder edema severity

Severity of udder edema may be reported using the following scale (Tucker et al., 1992). Note that scores are zero-filled for values 00 to 09.

Description of severity Score
No edema apparent 00
Edema in the base of the udder around 1 or 2 quarters 01
Edema in the base of the udder around 3 or 4 quarters 02
Edema covering the lower half of the udder 03
Edema beginning to show in the midline to navel 04
Extensive fluid accumulation along midline and navel 05
Edema covering entire udder; median suspensory ligament crease has disappeared 06
Midline fluid accumulation extended to brisket 07
Midline fluid accumulation extended dorsally; subcutaneous abdominal vein indistinguishable 08
Fluid accumulation extended to thighs 09
Severe edema; marked fluid accumulation in vulva; edema extensive in all areas mentioned above 10

See an example record for Udder Edema (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

Control Codes

DELE indicates that a record for the specified health date should be deleted for the animal. All reported health records for the animal on the given date will NOT be used. If only the health records pertaining to a particular event should be deleted for an animal, that health event can be designated in the detail fields.

Detail Pos Num Bytes Values
Specific event to be deleted 1-4 4 CYST, DIAR, DIGE, DA‑‑, DOWN, DYST, JOHN, KETO,
LAME, LEUK,MAST, METR, MFEV, NERV, REPR, RESP,
RETP, STIL, TEAT, EDEM, BCS‑, LOCO, MSPD, BHAV
Reserved for future use 5-6 2 blanks

See an example record for Control Codes (from SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS section)

SAMPLE HEALTH EVENT SEGMENTS

Sample health event segments are provided to demonstrate proper usage. Only bytes 138+ of each segment are presented.
Hyphens ('-') are used to indicate empty fields which should be filled with blanks (spaces) in files sent to CDCB.

Body Condition Score

An animal with a body condition score of 3.25 indicated in the health event detail field. (note that the decimal point is not stored) 

BCS‑20031004A325‑‑‑

Cystic Ovaries

A cow with cystic ovaries with an estimated diagnosis date of February 10, 2017 

CYST20170210E‑‑‑‑‑‑

Digestive Problem/Off Feed

A cow that is off feed on February 9, 2014 

DIGE20150209A‑‑‑‑‑‑

Displaced Abomasum

A cow with left displaced abomasum 

DA‑‑20161127AL‑‑‑‑‑

Dystocia

A single birth with a calving ease score of "1" indicated in the health event detail field 

DYST20031004A11‑‑‑‑

A twin birth with a calving ease score of "3" indicated in the health event detail field note that a calving ease score is provided for each calf born) 

DYST20031004A233‑‑‑

Johne's Disease (Paratuberculosis)

A Johne's-free sample based on a fecal gel-based PCR score of 0.05. The score reported in the Format 6 record is calculated as: 0.05 × 100 = 5. Note that the three-byte score is zero-filled, so 5 is coded as 005. 

JOHN20090604AG005N‑

A diagnosis of Johne's disease based on a raw score of 0.25 on an IDEXX ELISA test. The score reported in the Format 6 record is calculated as: 0.35 × 100 = 35. Note that the four-byte score is zero-filled, so 35 is coded as 0035. 

JOHN20090604AI0035P

A diagnosis of Johne's disease based on a score of 7 from a liquid-media fecal culture. Note that the two-byte score is zero-filled, so 7 is coded as 07. 

JOHN20090604AL07P‑‑

A diagnosis of Johne's disease based on an unspecified test. 

JOHN20090604AOP‑‑‑‑

A sample positive for Johne's disease based on a raw score of 0.20 on a ParaCheck© milk ELISA test. The score reported in the Format 6 record is calculated as: (0.20 + 0.20) × 100 = 40. Note that the three-byte score is zero-filled, so 40 is coded as 040. 

JOHN20090604AP040P‑

A real-time fecal PCR test resulting in a diagnosis of Johne's disease. Note that the two-byte score is zero-filled, so 9 is coded as 09. 

JOHN20090604AR09P‑‑

A diagnosis of Johne's disease based on a fecal culture on solid media. Note that the four-byte score is zero-filled, so 85 is coded as 0085. 

JOHN20090604AS0085P

Ketosis

A cow diagnosed with ketosis on August 12, 2015 

KETO20150812A‑‑‑‑‑‑

Lameness

Lameness with no reported cause 

LAME20031017A‑‑‑‑‑‑

Lameness caused by hairy heel wart 

LAME20031004AIDD‑‑‑

Lameness with a metabolic cause 

LAME20031004AM‑‑‑‑‑

Leukosis

A positive diagnosis of leukosis (bovine leukemia virus) based on a raw score of 6.0 on an AntelBio Leukosis Milk ELISA test. The score reported in the Format 6 record is calculated as: 6.0 × 100 = 600. 

LEUK20101020AA600P‑

Locomotion Score

A locomotion score of 4 (lame – an arched-back posture is always evident, gait is best described as one deliberate step at a time, and one or more feet/limbs are favored) on the scale of Hernandez et al. (2007). 

LOCO20090414AH4‑‑‑‑

A locomotion score of 1 (the cow stands and walks with a level-back posture and her gait is normal) on the scale of Sprecher et al. (1997). 

LOCO20090414AS1‑‑‑‑

Mastitis

A three segment case of clinical mastitis in the right front quarter, the quarter is inflamed but the cow is not sick. A culture was taken and results returned on October 4, 2012, indicating that the causitive organism was Staphylococcus aureus 

MAST20041001AFR2‑‑‑
MAST20041002AFR2‑‑‑
MAST20041004AFR1R‑‑

Metritis

A cow diagnosed as having metritis with translucent mucus containing some flecks of white pus with no odor 

METR20160711A10‑‑‑‑

Milk Fever/Hypocalcemia

A cow diagnosed with clinical milk fever 

MFEV20160711A‑‑‑‑‑‑

Milking Speed

A cow with faster than average milking speed (7) on a 9-point scale 

MSPD20031004AO0907‑

A cow that took 10 minutes and 30 seconds of actual time to milk out 

MSPD20031004AT1030‑

Nervous System Problem

A cow displaying a nervous system problem with circling and head tilting 

NERV20110617AOH‑‑‑‑

Reproductive Problem

A cow with a general infection of the reproductive tract 

REPR20150317A‑‑‑‑‑‑

Respiratory Problem

A cow displaying a respiratory problem evidenced by a temperature of 101°F, occasional spontaneous coughing, a small amount of cloudy nasal discharge, and normal eye and ear scores 

RESP20130511A12100‑

Retained Placenta

A cow that has not expelled fetal membranes 36 hours after giving birth 

RETP20150331A‑‑‑‑‑‑

Stillbirth/Perinatal Survival

A single birth with a live calf 48 hours postpartum 

STIL20031004A11‑‑‑‑

A twin birth with one stillborn calf and one live calf 48 hours postpartum 

STIL20031004A221‑‑‑

Temperament/Behavior

A cow with an average temperament score (5) on a 9-point scale 

BHAV20031004A0905‑‑

A cow with a poor temperament score (undesirable) (10) on a 50-point scale 

BHAV20031004A5010‑‑

Udder Edema

A cow with edema covering the lower half of the udder, using the Tucker scale 

EDEM20161017AT03‑‑‑

Control Codes

Records from June 17, 2015 were incorrect for this animal 

DELE20150617A‑‑‑‑‑‑

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

As noted above, Format 6 is designed to be an extensible format which can accommodate new traits as they are identified by the industry and support the expansion of current data collection efforts. Although it does not report service sire ID information, which can be reported using Format 5 (Reproduction Record), Format 6 can be used to report dystocia and stillbirth scores. As software support for collecting health and reproductive data improves, the NAAB calving ease format can be replaced with Formats 5 and 6, which would simplify collection of data for the NAAB calving traits program.

REFERENCES

Hernandez, J., J. Shearer, C. Risco, and W. Thatcher. 2007. Lameness and reproductive performance in dairy cows. Pages 109–113 in Proc. Dairy Cattle Reprod. Conf., Denver, CO.

McGuirk, S.M. and S.F. Peek. 2014. Timely diagnosis of dairy calf respiratory disease using a standardized scoring system. Anim. Health Res. Rev. 15:145–147.

Sheldon, I.M. and H. Dobson. 2004. Postpartum uterine health in cattle. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 82:295–306.

Sprecher, D. J., D. E. Hostetler, J. B. Kaneene. 1997. A lameness scoring system that uses posture and gait to predict dairy cattle reproductive performance. Theriogenology 47:1179–1187.

Tucker, W.B., G.D. Adams, M. Lema, M. Aslam, I.S. Shin, P Le Ruyet, and D.L. Weeks. 1992. Evaluation of a system for rating edema in dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 75:2382–2387.

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