Common Terms and Commands

Question: Do you have a summary of terms and commands that are commonly used in DairyComp?

Answer: Absolutely! Expand the topics below to learn more about the terms, commands, etc., that you will commonly use in DairyComp:

Common Terms

Term	Definition
Hardlock	Must be attached for program to run, determines type of program, usually USB.
C:\DC305 , C:\DCCON, C:\DCCCLIENT, or C:\DC	The location of the files that run the program. See Install DC305 on a New Computer to learn more.
C:\HERDS	The location of the data files for each herd. See Backup DC305 Data to learn more.
COWFILE	A data file used by DairyComp. Can only be read or opened by DairyComp. Can be DAT format (current data) or ARC format (past/historical data).
Basis or Basis File	A template used to make a new, empty cowfile
Command Line	Area located near the top of the DairyComp window that allows users to look up data, enter information, and edit settings. This feature is unique and original to DairyComp. See Command Line to learn more.
Menus	Sets of options located at the top of the DairyComp screen that allow the user to find information or execute functions.
Outlook Bar	Located at the left of the DairyComp window and used as a second option to locate and run reports.
CowCard	The record of an animal in DairyComp. See CowCards to learn more.
Item	A single piece of information about an animal. Can be stored or calculated. Examples include, ID, PEN, DIM, and DCC. See Items Tabs to learn more.
Command	An action in DairyComp to perform data entry or run a list, summary, or graph. See Command Line to learn more.
Event	An action that happens to an animal. An event can be related to reproduction, diseases, or management actions. See Events Tab to learn more.
ALTER	A command that allows you to customize the application's reports and operations specific to the current cowfile. See ALTER Overview to learn more.
SETUP	A command that allows you to change menus, backups, printers, options, and other factors that affect all cowfiles. See SETUP Command to learn more.
LOGON	A command used to switch to a different cowfile.
CREATE	A command used to generate a new, empty cowfile.
ABSORB	A command used to pull the item and event from one cowfile into another cowfile.

Common Items

See the table below for the most commonly used items in DairyComp:

AGE	Age in Months	MILK	Current testday milk
BDAT	Birth date	PCTF	Percent fat at last test
CDAT	Conception date	PCTP	Percent protein at last test
DCC	Days carry calf if pregnant	PEN	Pen or string number
DDAT	Dry date	RC	Repro code (numeric 0-8)
DIM	Days in milk	RPRO	Repro code in English
DSLH	Days since last heat	SCC	Somatic cell count
DUE	Date due to freshen	SID	Sire identification
FDAT	Fresh date	SIRC	Sire of conception
HDAT	Heat date	TBRD	Times bred
ID	Animal identification number	TDAT	Most recent test date
LACT	Lactation number	VDAT	Date of last vet check

NOTE: To view a complete list of the items configured for your DairyComp system, use the ALTER\2 command to open the Item definitions window. From there you can add, change, or delete items.

Summary of Commands

ALTER	Configuration module or all customizations of items, commands, pens, events, and so on.
BREDSUM	Used to examine the effectiveness of a breeding program. Switches include the following: \T = By Technician \O = By Breeding Code \B = By Number of Times Bred \I = Interval Analysis \N = By Cycle Number \E = 21 Day Heat Trial \Y = Include Heifers \V# = Voluntary Waiting Period \U = Bullpen Preg Rates \UR = Bullpen by 21 Days \A = Assume All Breedings \D or \D# = Select Date Range \X = Cross Measure 2 Variables
CHKFILE	Utility to search for animal IDs, show available ID numbers, or fix corrupted animal records.
COWVAL	Estimate an animal's value within the herd relative to an average fresh heifer. Also calculates the animal's pregnancy value.
ECON	Utility used to calculate economic factors. Switches include the following: \E = Lists of animals with certain events within a certain time frame \I or \IR (\R with cull rate) = Calf summary table for last 365 days by month \ID = Table of all events for last 365 days by month \S = Table of all events for last 365 days by DIM
EGRAPH	Graph of data from events. Can be done by calendar date, DIM for animals, or AGE for heifers. Can also graph remarks of the event instead of count of events.
EPLOT	Used to graph body scores, height and weight measurements.
Events	Used to view a list or table of events for different time periods and parameters. Switches include the following: \2SI = Lists of animals with certain events within a certain time frame \3 = Calf summary table for last 365 days by month \5 = Table of all events for last 365 days by month \6 = Table of all events for last 365 days by DIM \7 = Table of all events for last 365 days by month of fresh
FILEOUT	Used to export data items to CSV or TXT files.
GRAPH	Used to graph one item by itself (histogram) or multiple against each other (scatter graph).
LIST/SHOW	Used to create a listing of animals with certain items and conditions, within a specified sorting order.
MONITOR	Procedure that lets you define, calculate, and report a group of herd management statistics. Typically run at the beginning of the month.
PCT	Percent command is used to calculate the number of animals in the first condition that meet the conditions for the second list.
PLOT	Used to graph test day information by test date or by DIM.
SIRES	Used to look at or generate reports on the latest sire NAAB production and type proofs.
SUM	Used to get averages for certain items or number of animals within certain groups.

Download PDF Quick Reference Guides

Quick Reference	Download
DairyComp Command Syntax Quick Reference Guide
DairyComp Command Verbs and Switches
DairyComp Vocabulary

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