Core vs non-core vaccines Legitimate immunisation records Importance of vaccination Vaccine administration Immunisation programme

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1 By Marti Kirstein The fundamental principle of a vaccination programme entails that we should aim to vaccinate every animal with core vaccines and to vaccinate each individual less frequently by only giving non-core vaccines that are necessary for that animal. This guideline was one of the overall messages at the 39th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress (WSAVA 2014), which was held in Cape Town in September last year. Some of the latest research findings on canine vaccination was presented at the congress and reworked in a report compiled by Professor Michael Day from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. WSAVA guidelines provide generic advice to practitioners, but member countries are required to tailor these to their local situation. Importance of vaccination Vaccinations protect your puppy or young dog from several highly contagious diseases such as canine distemper, parvovirus infection and respiratory tract infections. It also protects against transmissible diseases such as rabies, which also pose risk to humans. However, vaccination will not cure a puppy or dog that is already sick. Only healthy animals should be vaccinated by a veterinarian or a veterinary nurse. The majority of pets experience no adverse effects following vaccination. A small number of animals may become feverish and have a reduced appetite. These reactions are mild and of short duration. In extremely rare cases, an animal may experience a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Such an animal can be treated successfully if attended to immediately. The possibility of such an event occurring does not justify considering not to vaccinate your puppy, however, as this would leave them susceptible to a range of life-threatening infectious diseases. Core vs non-core vaccines Vaccines used for the protection of pets/ animals such as dogs are currently divided into core vaccines and non-core vaccines. The former are vaccines that should be given to all pets/dogs in all regions, because they protect against diseases that are widespread and have serious effects. Non-core vaccines are only administered strategically when a particular disease is prevalent in an area or when circumstances are predisposed to the occurrence of the disease. Non-core vaccines are only administered after discussion with your veterinarian to evaluate the risks. Core vaccines for dogs are aimed at preventing canine distemper, canine adenovirus infections, canine parvovirus infection and rabies. Non-core vaccines for dogs include vaccines against leptospirosis, kennel cough, canine coronavirus and canine herpesvirus. Vaccine administration The South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) recently warned about the dangers of inadequate handling and administering of vaccines by unqualified persons. A growing trend appears to be for breeders to vaccinate their puppies at home before selling them presumably to save on veterinary fees. Dr Paul van Dam, managing director of SAVA, emphasises that this "saving" effort may be very shortsighted. Breeders are not adequately trained in the proper handling and administration of vaccines, nor are they trained to diagnose a disease in its early stages. Vaccinating a puppy that is not completely healthy renders the vaccine ineffective and may actually exacerbate illness. There is also the dilemma that the veterinarian faces with the rest of the vaccination programme for the puppy should he ignore the first vaccine done by the breeder and start again, or trust and hope that the first vaccine was done properly? Dr Van Dam says. He also warns against over-vaccination, which can be harmful. Legitimate immunisation records It is good practice to keep record of vaccination information. A puppy that has been vaccinated by a veterinarian will have a legitimate vaccine book or certificate showing proof of vaccination. This book or certificate will be a printed document with the veterinary practice details on the front cover and the veterinarian s signature and practice stamp in the appropriate place inside. If the first vaccinations have already been done, ensure that they were administered by a veterinarian. Dr Van Dam says potential new dog owners should also be wary of the so-called "puppy factories" breeders who keep a large number of animals with only one aim, to produce as many puppies as possible. These animals are often not kept under proper hygienic conditions, and with over-crowding the risk for diseases increases. Legitimate breeders work closely with their veterinarians. If you are in the process of buying a new animal, ask for the veterinarian s details in case your puppy has problems, and your veterinarian needs to contact the breeder s vet, suggests Dr Van Dam. Immunisation programme The vaccination of puppies is determined by the transfer of maternally-derived antibodies (MDA) from the bitch in colostrum. 26

2 BESTUUR / MANAGEMENT These antibodies are crucial for protection of the puppy during its early life, but simultaneously block the endogenous immune response of the puppy to vaccination. According to the WSAVA report, canine immunoglobulin has a half-life of around eleven days and there is a progressive decline in MDA concentrations in puppies over the first weeks of life. The "window of susceptibility" occurs when there is no longer sufficient maternal antibodies to provide full protection from infectious diseases, but where sufficient antibodies remain to block the ability of the puppy to develop its own immune response to modified live virus (MLV) vaccines. Traditionally, this window occurs between eight to ten weeks of age, but new evidence suggests that higher titre vaccines increase maternal antibody concentrations, leading to MDA persistence for longer periods of time. (A titre is a way of expressing concentration.) Studies have now shown that approximately one in every ten puppies has "blocking" levels of MDA at the age of 12 weeks. When to start For this reason, immunisation guidelines now recommend that puppy vaccination (with MLV core vaccines) commences at eight to nine weeks of age, with a second vaccine three to four weeks later and a third one administered between 14 and 16 weeks of age (preferably at 16 weeks), to ensure that all puppies have received at least one dose of vaccine in the absence of interfering MDA. A twelve-month booster vaccine (either at the age of twelve months or twelve months after the 16-week vaccine) is administered to ensure that full immunity develops. Where rabies is endemic, puppies should receive one dose of vaccine at the age of twelve weeks, but it is suggested that in a high-risk situation a second dose of vaccine may be given two to four weeks later. An example of a basic immunisation programme for young dogs is: First vaccination at eight to nine weeks. Second vaccination at 11 to 12 weeks, including the first rabies vaccination. Re-vaccinate at 14 to 16 weeks, including the second rabies vaccination. Re-vaccinate at the age of one year. Re-vaccinate every three years, including rabies. Non-core vaccines may be included into the puppy vaccination schedule if dictated by risk assessment. These vaccines should be selected for the individual dog, based on assessment of the particular animal s risk of exposure to the disease, and assessment of the benefits of vaccination for the pet versus the risk of adverse reaction. Decision-making for non-core vaccines would be facilitated by having available good quality data and disease distribution maps related to small-animal infectious diseases. Unfortunately, such distribution maps are not widely available. For more information, contact Dr Paul van Dam on or md@sava.co.za. SB Issue 43 October

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4 Advertorial By Brink van Zyl, ruminant specialist, Afgri Animal Feeds Sheep farming has undergone drastic changes over the past few years. The older extensive systems simply do not meet the need for animal protein anymore. In addition, a decline in the profitability of sheep farming has forced the modern farmer to turn to more intensive farming systems. The availability and cost of vertical expansion (buying more land) has caused modern farmers to rather expand horizontally and produce more on available land. Hence the use of accelerated lambing and lambing pen systems. Ewe pregnancy and especially lamb survival, are vital for optimal farming Creep feed allows for more intensive sheep farming with a subsequent increase in production. Fresh, palatable feed must be provided daily in conditions that allow for sufficient feeding space. and improved profits. A sheep farmer s only other source of income apart from wool income, is that of marketable lambs. Therefore the number and weight of marketed lambs per ewe mated per year is crucial. The use of creep feed is one way of making sheep farming more intensive and increasing ewe production. Ultimately it will also increase income per hectare. Lambs mainly succumb due to starvation, neglect or exposure. Predators, disease and parasite infections are also contributors to high mortality. Lamb mortalities not only cause direct economic losses, but also results in lower income indirectly and lead to less efficient selection, wasted foetal development costs, feeding dry ewes, lower wool production and wasted labour cost. Suckling lambs and creep feed Lambs should gain approximately 175g per day. Therefore, if a lamb weighs 4kg at birth, it should weigh 18kg at the age of 80 days and 21,5kg at 100 days. Lifetime production losses due to malnutrition can be prevented by compensating growth. The latter is achieved by giving creep feed, especially if milk production declines during late lactation. Creep feed is especially efficient in ewes with multiple lambs. One capitalises on the high feed conversion rate of the small lamb by giving creep feed. Creep feed must be supplied from approximately 14 to 21 days after birth to ensure optimal rumen development. Creep feed should be palatable and contain good quality bypass protein and energy. Ingestion is crucial, therefore feed should have a fine texture with a maximum roughage length of 1cm. Lucerne hay is a good source of roughage. Perfectly formulated Creep feed pellets such as AFGRI Superlamb Pellets are perfectly formulated and meet their requirements. Feeding space of at least 5cm per lamb is desirable, while a daily supply of fresh feed is necessary. Lambs can be weaned at a weight of at least 25kg or if they consistently ingest more than 250g creep feed per lamb per day. Weaning shock can be reduced by continuing with creep feed for at least one week post-weaning. The use of creep feed is one of the most Benefits of creep feed The benefits of creep feed can be summarised as follows: Lamb weights increase more rapidly due to the utilisation of lambs excellent feed conversion efficiency. The effect is especially noticeable in multiple-birth lambs. Lambs achieve their target marketing weight faster, with subsequent increased profitability. Creep feed will reduce weaning shock considerably, because the transition from milk to feed is gradual. Lambs that are accustomed to creep feed are easier to wean and adapt to the feedlot faster. Early weaning allows the ewes to utilise more nutrients for reproduction. This means that they regain condition much quicker and re-conceive easier and sooner. The use of creep feed is almost indispensable in accelerated lambing systems (lambing cycles shorter than a year). profitable feed applications for sheep. An average lamb's feed intake is approximately 3,1kg creep feed to gain 1kg of body weight. It results in a repayment ratio of approximately 1:2 (based on May 2015 prices). Simply put, the farmer earns approximately R2 for every R1 spent! Increased efficiency and precision farming principles are aimed at optimising income per hectare. In sheep farming, creep feed plays a major part in achieving this goal. For more information, contact Afgri Animal Feeds on , or janine.barnard@afgri.co.za, or visit Issue 43 October

5 Deur Izak Hofmeyr Prestasie-aantekening by perde het nog nooit werklik posgevat in die Suid-Afrikaanse bedryf nie. Izak Hofmeyr het by Charl Hunlun, bekende diereteelt-adviseur en wêreldkundige op die gebied van diere-aantekening, gaan kers opsteek hieroor. Prestasie-aantekening by perde is nie n nuwe of noodwendig n moeilik haalbare seleksiehulpmiddel nie, beklemtoon Charl. Die oudste voorbeeld van georganiseerde aantekening van prestasie by diere word waarskynlik by volbloedperde aangetref, waar volledige statistieke van rentye en -afstande al vir meer as 100 jaar bestaan. Ironies genoeg word hierdie uitstekende rekordbasis eerder in die wedrenbedryf gebruik as vir die teel van perde. Daar is ook ander dissiplines in die perdesportbedryf waar goeie rekords bestaan, maar weens een of ander rede word hierdie rekords nie behoorlik of korrek aangewend vir die genetiese verbetering van perde vir die betrokke sport of dissipline nie, sê hy. Seleksie-hulpmiddel Prestasie-aantekening is n seleksiehulpmiddel vir die doelgerigte teeltverbetering van enige spesie, waarmee die teler meer akkuraat en doeltreffender vir die gekose eienskappe kan selekteer en daardeur vinniger seleksievordering in die betrokke eienskappe kan behaal. Per definisie is dit dus n instrument vir telers vir wie teeltvordering in hierdie eienskappe belangrik is. Dit bring n mens by die vraag oor hoeveel perdetelers werklik ernstig is oor die teeltverbetering van die metriese eienskappe in perde, sê Charl. Die estetiese waarde van perde, of dan die visuele eienskappe (wat baie moeilik is om te meet en dus nie normaalweg gereken word as metriese eienskappe nie), het oor die afgelope eeu of wat baie belangriker geword in die totale waardebepaling van n perd as enige van die ander eienskappe. Perde is oor die algemeen statussimbole en werklike funksionele waarde speel ongelukkig n baie klein rol in die waardebepaling van perde. Die estetiese waarde, soos skouprestasies, gang, styl en bouvorm, speel vandag die belangrikste rol in die waardebepaling van n perd. Hieruit spruit een van die belangrikste voorvereistes vir die suksesvolle gebruik van prestasie-aantekening in die genetiese verbetering van perde en enige ander spesie, naamlik die term metriese eienskappe. Hierdie term verwys spesifiek na eienskappe waarvan die variasie in die eienskap tussen verskillende individue op n meetbare (metriese) skaal gekwantifiseer kan word dít wat jy waarneem, moet jy in bruikbare eenhede kan meet. Daar is ook n paar ander voorvereistes, soos dat die betrokke eienskap oorerflik is en dus n genetiese grondslag het, en natuurlik, dat die eienskap ekonomiese of funksionele waarde het. Dit is byvoorbeeld baie maklik om perde se oorlengte te meet en jy sal waarskynlik variasie daarin Die oudste voorbeeld van georganiseerde aantekening van prestasie by diere word waarskynlik by volbloedperde aangetref, waar volledige statistieke van rentye en -afstande al vir meer as 100 jaar bestaan. waarneem. Die verskille in die lengte van perde se ore sal waarskynlik n genetiese basis hê, maar is daar enigiemand wat daarin belangstel om spesifiek perde met langer of korter ore te bekom, of is n perd met langer of korter ore noodwendig beter of slegter as n ander? Klassieke aantekening Ek dink dat die antwoord vir die probleem oor waarom prestasie-aantekening, of dan die gebruik van aangetekende metriese waardes in die teeltverbetering van perde, so moeilik is eerder by die gebruikers van perde gesoek moet word. Kom ons kyk na klassieke prestasieaantekening soos ons dit by ander spesies aantref. Een van die belangrikste voorvereistes vir doeltreffende prestasieaantekeningsprogramme is dat dit uit die bedryf vir die bedryf moet kom. Die program moet wye deelname én dus aanvaarding hê die kopers moet diere vereis wat bewese beter prestasie het, en die telers moet dit besef en daarom 30

6 PRODUKSIE-AANTEKENING deelneem aan die program. Aantekening moet oor die wydste moontlike basis in n ras plaasvind. Bewyse hiervoor is oral in die statistieke van rasse in Suid-Afrika en wêreldwyd te vinde die waarde van prestasie-aantekening as seleksiehulpmiddel neem drasties af namate die vlak van deelname aan die program in n ras afneem. Visuele eienskappe het belangriker geword in die totale waardebepaling van n perd as enige van die ander eienskappe. Issue 43 October 2015 Korrekte eienskappe Die tweede vereiste is dat die korrekte eienskappe aangeteken word eienskappe wat van ekonomiese en funksionele belang is. Die belangrikheid van hierdie eienskappe moet onbetwisbaar wees en gaan hand aan hand met die mate van aanvaarding van die program en die omvang van deelname. Die gewildste eienskappe is gewoonlik almal eienskappe met n direkte ekonomiese of funksionele voordeel en indien n teler (of n ras) beduidende verbetering in só n eienskap kan bewys, is beduidende ekonomiese voordele daaraan verbonde. Voorbeelde hiervan is melk-, botterveten proteïenproduksie by melkkoeie, geboorte- en speengewigte by vleisbeeste en -skape, of veseldeursnee by wolskape. Al hierdie eienskappe is relatief maklik om te meet, vertoon redelike mates van variasie, is oorerflik en het n duidelike ekonomiese en funksionele grondslag. Om teeltvordering in sulke eienskappe te optimaliseer, is daar sekere voorvereistes. Eienskappe moet objektief meetbaar wees en betroubaar aangeteken word. Die moderne weergawes van goeie aantekeningsprogramme is só ontwerp dat alle bronne van oneerlikheid ontbloot word. Genetiese basis Verder moet eienskappe n genetiese basis hê, en die oorerfbaarhede van die eienskappe en die genetiese korrelasies van die eienskappe met ander belangrike eienskappe moet bekend wees en in ag geneem word. Dit verg n mate van navorsing, maar dit volg gewoonlik bykans outomaties kort nadat n aantekeningsprogram bekendgestel word. Natuurlik moet herkoms en afkoms (teler en ouerskappe), asook die geboortedatums van alle diere, behoorlik en betroubaar aangeteken wees. Groterige kontemporêre groepe is belangrik. n Kontemporêre groep is n groep diere wat binne n afsienbare tyd van mekaar op dieselfde plaas gebore is, dieselfde behandeling ontvang het en oor die algemeen min of meer vergelykbaar is met mekaar ten opsigte van omgewingstoestande wat die prestasie kan beïnvloed. Verder moet die metings wat aangeteken word n bewese Estetiese waarde, soos skouprestasies, gang, styl en bouvorm, speel vandag die belangrikste rol in die waardebepaling van n perd. noue verband hê met die werklike eienskap wat verbeter wil word. Daar is goeie wetenskaplikes in die land om rasse te help om baie goeie prestasieaantekeningsprogramme te ontwerp, bekend te stel en te bestuur, maar die uiteindelike sukses van die program bly die verantwoordelikheid van die betrokke ras en sy telers. Min ooreenstemming Daar is baie min ooreenstemming tussen telers oor die program wat gebruik moet word, die eienskappe wat aangeteken moet word, aantekeningspraktyke en beginsels. Dit is verder n groot probleem dat gevestigde telers bang is dat hulle diere moontlik ontbloot sal word as minder gesog met n stel nuwe en onbekende seleksiemaatstawwe. Perdekuddes is verder oor die algemeen klein, wat beteken dat daar dus klein kontemporêre groepe is. Hierdie probleem kan egter grootliks met moderne wiskundige modelle en tegnieke oorkom word. Charl meen dit blyk dat die bedryf (kopers en telers) moontlik die grootste "probleem" is by die implementering van prestasie-aantekening by perde. Die feit is dat geen geldige rede bestaan waarom prestasie-aantekening nie suksesvol vir n wye reeks belangrike eienskappe van perde gebruik kan word om perde geneties te verbeter vir die betrokke eienskappe nie. SB 31

7 Om stoetteling te doen, moet streng rekord gehou word. In hierdie artikel gesels SA Stoetteler met SA Stamboek oor die rol wat dié organisasie in die lewe van n perdeteler kan speel. In die eerste plek hou n mens n stamboek om rekord te hou van die stambome van individuele diere in n ras. In die proses word n databasis opgebou wat lede van n telersgenootskap kan gebruik. Kom ons praat oor n paar van hierdie gebruike. Wat is volgens jou die belangrikste voordele daaraan om n perd se stamboom te hê? Die byhou van die stamboeke van rasse behels die betroubare rekordhouding van die herkoms en afkoms van diere. Afkoms verwys na die stambome van die diere wie die ouers, voorouers, ens. is. Herkoms verwys na die rekordhouding van eienaarskap, n baie belangrike aspek wat n mens soms uit die oog verloor. Die kudde van herkoms is nog altyd, selfs ná die koms van moderne seleksiehulpmiddels, steeds n baie belangrike hulpmiddel vir die teler. Betroubare stambome op sigself is natuurlik n baie belangrike seleksiehulpmiddel en kan eintlik as onontbeerlik in enige vorm van diereteelt en diereverbetering beskou word. Met behulp van die wiskunde van genetika en diereverbetering kan die uitkomste van beplande teling betreklik akkuraat voorspel word, afhangende van faktore soos die tipe-eienskap en die akkuraatheid van die stamboominligting. Hierdie faktore is so belangrik dat telersgenootskappe baie moeite doen om te verseker dat hulle die rekords oor die herkoms en afkoms van hul diere korrek, betroubaar en natuurlik, vir die huidige en die toekomstige generasies van telers, beskikbaar kan stel. Prestasie-aantekening is ook n belangrike aspek. Hoe meer die voornemende teler van n bepaalde hings en merrie se vermoëns weet, hoe beter is die keuse wat hy kan maak as hy oor parings wil besluit. Watter dienste lewer SA Stamboek in hierdie verband? Aangesien stambome en die voorkoms van diere fundamentele beginsels is waarop die teelverbetering van diere berus, is die meting en evaluering van die prestasie van diere ook van deurslaggewende belang. n Mens kan die mooiste dier teel, met die voortreflikste voorouers, maar as die dier en sy voorouers nie onsydig (deur meting) geëvalueer word ten opsigte van die doel waarvoor die dier geteel word nie, sal n mens steeds n bykans nuttelose dier hê. Net soos bykans enige ekonomies belangrike eienskap van ander plaasdiere, is die ekonomies belangrike eienskappe van perde oorerflik en meestal meetbaar. Indien n mens jou perde ten opsigte van hierdie eienskappe doeltreffend wil verbeter, moet daar een of ander vorm van formele aantekening en evaluering van die prestasie in daardie eienskappe wees. SA Stamboek lewer al jare lank n diens spesifiek vir die aantekening van meetbare eienskappe by sekere perderasse en het nou ook die veld vir die produksie-aantekening van vleis- en melkbeeste en skape betree. Ons beskik oor betroubare rekenaar-databasisse en gepaardgaande programmatuur, asook die kundigheid om toepaslike dienste aan ons telersgenootskappe te lewer in hierdie verband. Alle inligting wat n teler of telersgenootskap benodig, is dus op een plek beskikbaar. Daarbenewens is die kundigheid om hierdie inligting na elke rolspeler se behoefte voor te berei en te help aanwend, ook beskikbaar. 32

8 PRODUKSIE-AANTEKENING In ander spesies, veral beeste en skape, speel teelwaarde-voorspelling, ook algemeen bekend as BLUP, n belangrike rol. Wat is dit presies en hoe kan dit in die perdebedryf aangewend word? BLUP (oftewel beste lineêre onsydige teelwaarde -voorspelling) is n volledige inligtingsmodel wat alle inligting van n dier ten opsigte van bepaalde eienskappe saamvat en verwerk om sodoende n enkele beste voorspelling van die waarde van die betrokke dier as teeldier te verkry. BLUP-teelwaardes sal in die perdebedryf net so n belangrike rol kan speel soos met die teling van produksiediere. Dit is bloot n geval van die identifisering van die toepaslike ekonomies belangrike eienskappe vir n bepaalde perderas, die stelselmatige aantekening van daardie eienskappe en die wetenskap met die daarstelling van toepaslike wiskundige modelle. By produksiediere is daar al ver gevorder in hierdie verband. Elke ras en spesie het letterlik stelle eienskappe wat geëvalueer word. Daar is geen rede waarom die perdebedryf nie mettertyd ook hulself in só n situasie kan bevind nie. Watter ander dienste lewer SA Stamboek aan perdetelers? SA Stamboek is n vereniging van 65 telersgenootskappe die organisasie behoort dus aan die telers. Die dienste van SA Stamboek is spesifiek gerig op ondersteuning aan telersgenootskappe en telers deur sekere generiese dienste op n bekostigbare en deurlopende wyse te lewer. Dit is dienste wat elke genootskap op sy eie sou moes dupliseer as daar nie so n organisasie was nie. Dit is belangrik om te onthou dat SA Stamboek n ingelyfde vereniging sonder winsoogmerk is. Die bekendste diens is natuurlik die aantekening van ouerskap en eienaarskap (afkoms en herkoms) van diere en die toepassing van elke telersgenootskap se reëls ten opsigte van die aantekening van die diere. Hierdie dienste, tesame met ander dataverwante dienste, word deur die datadiensteafdeling van SA Stamboek gelewer. Die afdeling vir genomiese en adviesdienste van SA Stamboek ondersteun die telersgenootskappe en telers ten opsigte van hul inligtingsbehoeftes. Dit is hoe om inligting te verkry uit die data wat opgeneem is, asook advies met die aanwending daarvan. Voorbeelde hiervan is: Die berekening van teelstrukture binne n ras en toeligting daaroor. Die berekening van inteel-koëffisiënte en verwantskappe binne n ras of kudde, en die gebruik van die resultate. Die verwerking en beskikbaarstelling van bestuursinligting vir telersgenootskappe, byvoorbeeld hoeveel nuwe diere, hoeveel lede, kuddegroottes en so meer. Hierdie afdeling hanteer ook rasverwante take vir klein rasse wat nie n telersgenootskap het nie. Daar is verder twee ondersteuningsafdelings finansies en administrasie, en die afdeling vir inligtingen kommunikasietegnologie. Hulle bied hoofsaaklik interne ondersteuning, maar kan ook, onder sekere omstandighede, direk betrokke raak by die aktiwiteite van telersgenootskappe en telers. Die Logix-webwerf, waarop telers inligting oor hul diere kan kry, is n sprekende voorbeeld hiervan. Twee ander afdelings van SA Stamboek se finansieringen bestuursmodelle verskil ietwat, maar is nietemin deel van SA Stamboek. Die eerste is die sekretariaat, wat n sekretariële tuiste bied vir 24 telersgenootskappe. Hier kan hulle hulpbronne soos personeel, toerusting en kantoorruimte deel om sodoende die kostes vir die telers so laag as moontlik te hou. Die sekretariaat word uitsluitlik deur gebruikers gefinansier en word deur n raad van presidente van die deelnemende genootskappe bestuur. Die produksie-aantekeninge afdeling is die afdeling wat gemoeid is met die produksie-aantekening en teelwaardeberaming vir produksiediere. Hierdie afdeling het n redelike groot personeel van hoogs opgeleide persone en nagenoeg nege van hierdie mense is veldbeamptes wat regdeur die land dienste lewer ten opsigte van produksieaantekening, maar ook aangewend kan word vir ander take. Hierdie afdeling word ook uitsluitlik gefinansier deur die deelnemers aan produksie-aantekening en word deur advieskomitees bestuur, wat bestaan uit deelnemers van die SB onderskeie produksie-aantekeningstelsels. Issue 43 October

9 Logix is the acronym for Livestock Operational and Genetic Information Exchange, a free Internet-based programme to which registered breeders have 24-hour access. This enables the dog breeder to communicate with SA Stud Book regarding animal information queries, birth notifications, cancellations, inbreeding calculation, etc. The success of any breeder can be significantly improved by applying all the tools at his disposal to make informed decisions about breeding. Logix grants breeders direct access to the most recent information on the breeding and performance of their dogs, as recorded on the system. Logix access All breeders registered with a breed society can get Logix access, as well as related persons in the industry such as consultants, veterinarians, etc. The electronic subscription procedure is simple, after which a person will receive login details. Registered breeders can gain access to Logix via the website The system not only provides statistics, but gives access to extensive reports and facilities to support breeders to breed better dogs. SA Stud Book believes that the data supplier is also the owner of the data. Various levels of access are available on the system. The breeders society can decide at an annual general meeting on the level of access to be implemented. The programme is bilingual and will default to the breeder s language choice. Use the dog menu for easy navigation to the relevant action you want to perform on the system. 34 Figure 1: Dog menu. Dog information enquiry This screen is used to investigate the dog s information on the system, such as ownership, pedigrees, progeny, championship results, photo, inspection results, history and additional information. You can use this screen to look up any dog on Logix with its computer number, prefix or name, or even part of a name. In your search in the name field the underscore (_) can be used to search for any character or the percentage sign (%) to search for any series of characters. This makes it easy to search a dog s name, even if you only know part of it. If you click on any animal on the interactive screen, its information will appear. For easy navigation to further information on the dog, use the buttons at the bottom of the page to get to the relevant information and scroll down. For your comfort, you can navigate between pedigree and progeny information, championship results or appraisal reports. The photo button is a very popular one to view a photo of the particular dog. Litter information Use this screen to view the litter from the sire and dam s side. Click on the litter number and the entire litter will appear on screen. Maintenance Use the maintenance menu to navigate to the cancellation screen if a dog has to be cancelled for any reason as listed. Birth notification The Logix system was developed to enable the breeder to record litters and births live online in seven steps. The process is easy and convenient, and the intention is for the breeder to record the litters in the comfort of his/her own home without cumbersome paperwork. The feedback is also received

10 PRODUCTION RECORDS much sooner than with the paper option. Normally the transaction will be submitted to the breeders society for initial acceptance and only then will SA Stud Book record the litter and births. It is important to note that the entire litter should be recorded at the same time, even if you do not intend registering some of the puppies. Litter waiting room Once the litter is recorded, the breeder can view the recording on this screen to ensure that it was recorded correctly before being sent to the breeders' society s office. It can be used to follow up on the transaction progress. Each puppy s information can be checked and new owners can be chosen, should the puppy be sold. If the puppies are not sold at the birth recording, they will be recorded in the name of the female s owner and can be transferred at a later stage as they are sold to new owners. An SA Stud Book clerk will process the entire transaction and send certificates to the breeders' society. The system will validate the transaction regarding the breed standards as stipulated in the society s constitution to ensure data integrity. Reports Various reports are available on Logix and more can be developed as the need arises. The following are already available on the system: Inbreeding percentage: To check the inbreeding percentage of a planned mating. Figure 3: Reports. Figure 2: Dog information. Per capita list: This report lists all the dogs live and active in your possession. Five-generation pedigree: This shows the dog s complete five-generation pedigree to enable the breeder to view the ancestors. Birth and/or registration certificates, issued by SA Stud Book: The birth certificate is issued directly after birth to confirm the animal s recording and is also available to accompany a sold puppy. After inspection by the society s inspectors, a registration certificate can be issued. Certificates can be issued to the society electronically immediately after receipt of the birth notification. Inbreeding calculator Inbreeding is a huge problem in some dog breeds and it is necessary to check the inbreeding percentage of a planned mating before deciding on it. This is a very useful tool to ensure that related animals are not mated. Sometimes dogs from different kennels can be related, so it is always better to check first. Use this function to calculate the inbreeding percentage of a planned mating with multiple animals in one exercise. Per capita list Use this to list all the animals currently registered in your name. The per capita list is a very useful tool because animals should be registered in your name if births are to be recorded from them. The list can be sorted by animal name or birth date. You can even select the list of non-active animals. Five-generation pedigree An extended five-generation pedigree can be printed from Logix to do research on pedigrees if needed, as indicated below. Show catalogue The person/s or body responsible for show administration can gain access to Logix, in order to compile any show catalogue from the Logix database. It is done in a step-bystep process and once the show classes are set up, it can be utilised for any other show. The computer points sheet will also be generated from Logix, to be sent to the club or show organisers. Logix is the tool that will take the bite out of breeding, helping dog breeding to be based on scientific principles. For enquiries, contact Herman Labuschagne on or herman@studbook.co.za. SB Issue 43 October