DC305 Release Notes

• For herds that use sire short name entry, we now display the sexed code (if present) in the sire selection picklist in BRED. This makes it easier to identify and choose between the sexed and unsexed named sires. For example, we show the sexed "TROY" as "TROY.S" to denote its name and its sexed code.
• For animals with a reproduction code (RC) of zero, we used to display a blank space for the RC item. We now show "HEIFER" (translated to the local language) for these animals. The SETUP command can be used to change how RC is shown for your animals.
• Updated the BREDSUM Options dialog to support several of the newer switches available in DC305.
• Added a new Item Type #174 to show embryo transfer pregnancies. If the Op1 is 0, DC305 returns a "Y" or "N" to show whether the animal is currently pregnant from an embryo transfer implant. If Op2 is a 1, it shows the PULSE Embryo ID of that implant (if the embryo transfer was entered in PULSE).
• For the BREDSUM\* (BREDSUM by sexed code) option, we now display embryo implants as a separate category.
• Fixed an issue where the EGRAPH event \P was not properly displaying protocol numbers over 255.
• We now have a secondary sire ID available for some regions that do not support NAAB codes. When you define an Item Type #190 item, you can now select a NAAB code as a Secondary Sire ID. For example, in Germany, the DHV codes are the primary sire identification and you can use this new item to show the NAAB code for that sire. Note that you need a V10 cowfile to enable this feature.
• In some cases, if DC305 found a change to the sire ID during a genomics file import, it would change the sire ID to an ISO number, such as 84000012345567. We added safeguards to prevent unwanted changes like that. Additionally, we now check against the global sire reference file (V10 only) for improved sire ID checks and corrections when possible.

• AFI Milk: The AFI milk import now supports pen numbers over 255. Note that not all parlors allow this. Use caution when creating pen numbers not supported by the partner software!
• Germany: Handled requested modifications in SEND\V testday export: the MLP.ADS file for all LKV-Codes.
• Germany: You can now run KuhVision export (SEND\K) from an automated scheduled task.
• Lely: For the past few months, we've been field testing the change to use the Lely Animal ID as the primary ID for the Lely integration. It has been successful, solves multiple problems, and, with this version, it is now the default.
• Zoetis Genomics: Updated the formula used for TPI calculations in the Zoetis DNG/DND genomics file import.
• Zoetis Genomics: We now allow defining an alternate item to be used as the lookup when importing Zoetis Genomic DND files. Note that this is not needed in most cases (and not in the US), but it was required for some foreign countries.

MN FTECH requested a billing change (% field tech vs. association).

• To speed up client refresh speeds for large herds and those with poor connections, archive files are only refreshed to clients if they have been updated from a CLEANUP.
• Added support for the PCT command to display values for Item Type #145 (Tech name) items, e.g., PCT LACT=1 BY MTECH.
• The ALTER Protocols dialog was adjusted to properly limit maximum values for the protocol withdrawal date.
• Fixed an issue where event edits for BRED Tech completed on DCCLIENT were not always sent correctly to the server.
• Resolved an issue where editing Combo events was not working properly in some situations.
• The Client Timeout value was previously limited to 20 seconds on the DC-Shadow version. It was increased to support larger values for large herds and/or poor connections.
• Fixed an issue where the Average Daily Gain (ADG) at Age calculation could return incorrect values for weights in kilos.
• Fixed an error message shown in BRED when the SIR5 (use 5 extra sires) option was enabled.

• Lely: Fixed a problem where animal IDs of zero could be sent to Lely.
• Neogen: Added a new Holstein haplotype, Polled Mutation Trait (GHP), for Neogen genomic import.
• Lactanet: Released updated sire file for Lactanet.
• Zoetis: Added the ability to use an alternate lookup ID when importing Zoetis Genomic files. This is only needed for non-US customers.
• Universal: Added the ability to define a different folder for the MSEND command for Universal TAUPRO transfer program.

• Added the ability to duplicate drugs for a new premise.
• Fixed a problem that occurred when editing usages.

Resolved an issue where protocol changes completed on PULSE were not immediately applied in DC305.

• We've dramatically improved the speed of the CLEANUP command whether you use it with the setting to remove duplicate records or you use CLEANUP\A directly.
• Added support for SIR5 and SIR6 items, which can be used for BRED event entry with default recommended service sires, along with the existing SIR1 through SIR4 items.
• Released the August 2024 USA sire proofs file.
• In DC-Shadow refresh options, you can now increase how long a refresh runs before it times out and fails. Extra time is sometimes needed for systems with slow internet connections.
• Fixed a problem where LOGON would lock up when a corrupted cowfile existed in the multiherd folder.
• Resolved a performance issue where viewing multiple CowCards was getting slow. This was caused by an accumulation of a large amount of sensor activity data.
• In order to allow genomic imports in some foreign countries (including Argentina) with different government ID systems, we now allow changing the default item used to look up the cows from the DNG file.
• Fixed an issue where the system would not correctly delete a third calf record if you deleted a FRESH event with three live calves.
• Resolved an issue where FILEOUT did not always export the expected set of items. This was a rare condition related to the milking interface in use.
• Fixed an issue where the EVENTS\3 Calf Report was not showing all of the expected items.

• NEDAP Now: Added support for using activity-level data received from PULSE in the BREDSUM\J activity summary.
• Cow Manager: Added support to send PREV events to Cow Manager in the same way we send PREG events.
• Jantec Milk Import: We now detect and accommodate for a date bug in the Jantec milk file, which caused milking #3 to be missed if it was scheduled after midnight. The weights now load as expected.
• Protein Serum Import: Added support to automatically import protein serum lab result files (DNY files).
• Lactanet Traceability: Fixed a problem designating domestic versus foreign exported cows.
• SEND (Germany): We now allow users to set different premises to different emails to differentiate between breeds.
• GEA DairyNet: Added support for GEA's new DairyNet integration.

Fixed an issue where CowCare would freeze when a very large number of backlogged drug usages were processed.

Interested in brushing up on your general DC305 knowledge or learning more about specific DC305 strengths, like the power of its reproduction analysis tools? VAS offers several instructor-led and self-paced courses! See Sign Up for DC305 Training Classes to learn more.

• The CowCard's Previous Lactations Tab now includes calf information: the calf's ID, sex, status, and sire. These will be automatically backfilled the first time you run DairyComp version 24.8:



• The USA sire file now contains sires active in the last ten years.
• Added translation capability to the ECON\IR report header.
• Fixed the problem where a client refresh would occasionally erase the local client task table.
• For very large herds with a lot of activity logging, we now properly handle any overflows when the log file gets too large.
• The OTF (on-the-fly) GUIDE items are now always initialized by default for DairyComp Consultant users. Additionally, you can force loading of the OTF items by using ALTER\2O.
• Bull stud code 694 is now properly recognized as sexed female semen.
• When a sire is renamed in ALTER8 : Sire Table, the sire is also renamed in any archive files. This improves BREDSUM by sire.
• On DCClient, the previous release inadvertently removed access to some ALTER\11 capabilities. This has been restored.
• OTF items can now be used in EVENTS HDR files.

• Lactanet: Added the REGID field to the XML file created using ECON\LACT.
• SEND (Germany): Added support for sending ADS files for multiple AEs (premises) to different email addresses.
• Zoetis Genomics: Fixed an issue where DNG files from Zoetis were not imported correctly because the files were in an unexpected format.

• DC305 now accepts breeding codes entered on PULSE even if the breeding codes are not enabled in DC305.
• Resolved an issue where events were sometimes duplicated in DC305 if the event was entered in PULSE with lowercase remarks.

• The SIRES\M command, which is used to import sire matings from a file, now supports SIR4 and SIR5.
• Improved Item Type #88 to return the number of test days using log SCC > [value]. Op1 should be set to 97, and Op2 should be set to the cutoff value for log SCC. For example, If you want the count of test days where the log SCC is over four, enter 4 for the Op2 value.
• We now only display pens in remarks up to 3 characters unless 4 characters are required. In Cowfile Version 10, we allow up to 9999 pens and we changed the remark of MOVE events to support 4 characters for each pen. This caused remark lengths to exceed 8 characters, which reduced readability in some cases.
• Added content to the ALTER routines, which are now visible when using DCClient. While they are still read-only (except for scheduled tasks), you can now view the pens, sires, vet codes, and events tables.
• Added updated sire files for the US, Canada, and Italy.
• Fixed a small issue where reproduction codes were not recalculated properly when a BRED was entered on the same day as an ABORT event.
• The Switch Manager, which displays all available command switches, can now be accessed from the Help menu.
• Improved the way DCCLIENT is updated, which fixes some instances where the DCSquirrel utility tool did not update properly.
• Fixed a typo in the switch description for logging onto archive and backup files.
• Updated the standard event code names for French, Italian, German and Russian users.
• Added Speckled Park (SK) as a beef breed.
• Fixed a problem where CAR codes defined on the server were not being sent properly to the client. Due to the variation in how DCSETUP files are handled between the server and client, we added a setting in the SERVER configuration message that forces the transfer: “Send custom CarCode+VEnter Keys to clients.”
• Resolved a problem where the system would modify FRESH table items when one of the items in the paired tables was deleted.
• Improved the client refresh process, which resolves an issue where clients could have lost their local custom task scheduler tables.
• Reverted a change that caused an issue where a reproduction code was not sent correctly during the iTrans process. The change caused a problem with identifying male calves.
• Fixed an issue where changes made in the last update could have caused a failure in the Lameness Manager, depending on your PULSE settings.

• Lely: The latest conductivity values can be imported from Lely in the daily milk import. To enable, use SETMILK\INSTALL for Lely and click the button to enable and create four teat items: CNDLF, CNDRF, CNDLR, and CNDRR. The items will start being updated in the milk weight loads.
• Lactanet: Added the REGID field to the Lactanet ECON export for Eastern Canada.
• CattleEye: Fixed a problem where values sent from PULSE were not displayed in the correct user-selected format.
• SEND (Germany): Fixed an issue with the German SEND command where MOVE events that involved outside premises were not sent properly.
• DNG Genomic Import: Added HPP (Holstein Horn/Polled) to items that can be imported from genomic files.
• Holstein EASY: Added support for all of the available items in the Holstein EASY import (ECON\H). Previously, we just supported importing the CLASS item.

The CowCare basis drug file has been updated with new drug information; this happens once a year.

• DC305 lets you customize event names, but sometimes, that makes it difficult for the system to recognize what the customized event name is supposed to represent. We implemented some standardization for events to improve event analysis in both DC305 and PULSE, especially for the PULSE features, HealthVal and OneView. You don't need to change anything, but to improve the system's analyses, we now have an option for every event in the ALTER - Events dialog where you can select the standard event description.

• Fixed an issue where Item Type #190 Sire Breed item for some 501XD NAAB codes was not always properly seen as "XD".

• Updated the Switch Manager to include switches for the SSF SEND command (SEND\DNL).

• Implemented full support for Ukrainian language translations, including user-defined events and items.

• For international users where sire NAAB is not available, you can now enter the sexed code and breed for that sire when you enter a BRED event and add a new sire.

• GUIDE now properly reloads if you log on to a dairy with a different GUIDE file.

• SEND (Germany): Added support for maintaining a description for each premise in the German premise table.
• SCR Milk Load: Fixed an issue where the system would double up milk weights of a milk load twice for the same milking.
• Delpro: Fixed a problem where a milking time set to midnight might result in an error message.
• FTECH (DairyOne): Added support for IDs that are greater than 5 digits in the lab data merge file.
• FTECH (Minnesota): Fixed a minor display issue in billing report.

The "Drug Usage by Cow ID" CowCare Report now allows entry of a list of cow IDs to show on the report.

We recently changed incoming PCC event entries to use the same command as defined in DairyComp. However, we fixed an issue where the system did not correctly process items in an event command if the items were listed before EC. For example, if you enter a MOVE command, PN=PEN EC=9 EDAY REM, the system now sets the PN item properly before the system processes the MOVE command (EC=9).

• Fixed a problem that occurred when heifer weights imported on a client were sent to the server.
• Added Ukranian language support.
• Updated the field names in ECON reports to clarify that the Totals shown are Total Animals in the count column and Total CWT in the milk production column.
• Restored the ability to add days to protocol details using ranges (like "2-4" for days 2 through 4).
• The system no longer allows entering DRY events for heifers because it creates a misleading reproduction status and causes problems later in the process. These instances should be entered as treatments with an optional protocol rather than as DRY events.
• Released the latest sire files for the UK and Germany.
• Updated iTrans heifer files (iLoop DNT transfer files) to automatically exclude the reproduction code item, which resolves problems on the receiving side.
• Fixed a problem that occurred when entering sexed sires if the sire's only identification was an ISO code, such as in Italy.
• Fixed Item Type #73 items for "Pen from MOVE event" that broke in a previous release.

• Preg Results Lab Import: The system now displays an alert and does not import lab-generated PREG events that occur after an ABORT event if there are no recorded breeding events since the abort.
• FTECH: Fixed the FTECH ABSORB command, so you can now import milk weights for cows with IDs over 5 digits long.
• SEND (Germany): Added several requested improvements to the German SEND command.
• SEND (Italy): Implemented the ability to add a designated EID item to the Italian SEND command. You can now use INVIA\X [itemname], so in this example, you can use INVIA\X EID.
• SEND (UK): By request, Northern Ireland bulls are now excluded from the UK checksum validation process.
• Lactanet Traceability: Modified the display of the entry dialogs as requested by Lactanet.

Added a new DrugWatch Cow History Treatment report to CowCare, which replicates the output from the former DrugWatch application. To learn more about viewing CowCare reports, see View Reports.

DC305 now displays notification bars on the main screen if you need to update DC305 so it can properly synchronize with PULSE. Follow the instructions in Update DC305 to the Latest Release if you see the notification.

• You can now use the Switch Manager to see all the available switches for all commands in DC305! Simply click Command? at the left side of the command line to open the Switch Manager, then browse the list of commands and switches.

  

  See Command Line to learn more about using switches in the command line. For a comprehensive list of commands and switches you can download, see Command Line Quick Reference Sheets.

• The April 2024 USA sire file has been released.
• Fixed a problem that occurred when displaying cow pictures in the CowCard's Picture tab.
• Added language support for Estonia.
• When you export a report as a CSV file, the exported version is now easier to read because it no longer includes the Totals line.
• When you use the ALTER command, you can now enter a new technician number using the keypad.

• Lactanet Genomics: Fixed an issue where the Lactanet genomics file import changed some sexed sires to their unsexed variant. This occurred because the unsexed sire NAAB was listed in the DNV file.
• SEND (Germany): Implemented more requested changes to the German SEND export format.
• BREDSUM (Italy): Fixed an issue where BREDSUM\M was not properly showing sexed sires with Italian stud codes. Also, in some cases, the command would lock up for some Italian v10 cowfiles.
• SEND (Italy): The Italian SEND command now supports electronic IDs.
• Boumatic MSEND: Resolved the error message caused by corrupted files from Boumatic.
• Morocco: Morocco can now use short sire names.

Added a new CowCare report called DrugWatch Cow History Treatment, which replicates the output from the former DrugWatch application.

DC305 now displays notification bars on the main screen if you need to update DC305 so it can properly synchronize with PULSE. Follow the instructions in Update DC305 to the Latest Release if you see the notification.

• Fixed a small problem that occured when merging some PCC expert batch commands into the DC305 event command.

• Fixed an issue where the previous Device ID was still being shown on subsequent transactions in the Activity Log.

• The academic build (DCTEACH) has been updated to read Cowfile Version 10.
• Fixed a problem where, in some cases, if you entered a BRED event as an embryo transfer, the CowCard did not properly display ETBRED.
• In Cowfile Version 10, the ALTER dialog can now support up to 512 breeding technicians. Previously, the ALTER dialog only supported 250 technicians.
• Fixed an issue where the CAR code table did not refresh properly for shadow clients.
• Fixed a problem where the system would incorrectly group the crosstab, BREDSUM\XC BY LCTGP, by breeding technician.
• If you enter a BRED event for foreign herds that use short sire names instead of NAAB codes, DC305 now displays the sexed code for the bull. Additionally, when you add a new sire, you can now enter the bull's sexed code.
• Fixed an issue where the protocol remark was being truncated when exporting culture results to QSM files.
• Improved the search function for sires so that you can enter or find a sire using either the default name (usually NAAB code) or the ISO tag. This works for LIST and SHOW, as well as sire imports.
• In Cowfile Version 10, you can now enter up to 2048 protocol details.
• Fixed a problem where the system would not accept stud codes over 255 in the SIRES\8 analysis.
• Fixed an issue where the system did not properly update downloaded pedigree (DNZ) files.
• You can now limit access for modifying and recalculating the MONITOR in the User Manager.

• UK SEND: Fixed an issue where the SEND for the UK BCMS system did not properly default to the latest send date.
• German SEND:
  • Implemented requested changes for sending the milking frequency.
  • Implemented requested changes in the MLP and KARIND export files.
  • When importing the Lactanet DNV genomic file, it will update the animal sire and dam registration if the DNV file has different information than the cowfile.
• Minnesota DHI: Implemented requested change for the MNDHIA FTECH billing module.
• Lactanet Genomics: Implemented requested changes for MOVE and SOLD events in the KARIND export file.

• Updated the default withdrawal period for some drugs in the default protocol list, which is used when adding a new protocol. Existing protocols defined with those drugs are corrected.
• CowCare now defaults to the latest (Version 2) behavior.

If you enter an invalid FRESH event in PULSE and send it to DC305, DC305 now creates a held command for the event so you can review and verify the event details. For example, DC305 might create a held command for a FRESH event if you try to enter it just a few days after the previous fresh date.

DC305 now merges event entries from PCC with the existing event commands to support any items defined for that event. For example, if your DRY event is EC=11 PEN=5, a DRY event from PCC will now support the PEN=5 entry.

• Corrected an issue where the CowCard incorrectly displayed protocols on BULLPEN events.
• Posted the Italy sire file with December 2023 proofs.
• Fixed V9 issues where protocols above 255 did not work properly in the previous update and high-numbered protocols were not transferred correctly from DCCLIENT.
• Resolved an issue where FILEIN might not import the last record in a file if the file contained blank values after the last line.
• Fixed a BREDSUM problem where grouping bull studs did not work correctly wherever NAAB codes are not used, such as Italy.
• Some users reported missing IDs from the CHKFILE: "List unused ID numbers." This occurs if the IDs are being used in the EID inventory. To exclude EID inventory IDs from DC305's ID check, check the Ignore IDs in EID file box.
• In Parlor reports, we now implement a tolerance value based on parlor size, which reduces the number of false suspect stalls in the report.

• Minnesota DHI: The SSF SEND command for Minnesota FTECH will export health events by default. For other DHIs, you can add the \H switch (SEND\DNLH) to send health events.
• Allflex API: Fixed a problem where the system could create new items that overlapped existing items during SETMILK installation for the Allflex API.
• NEDAP & BECO: Added the ability to use both NEDAP and BECO transponders on a single DCCLIENT system.
• ScotEID: Improved the date prompt and the Last Send Date default in ScotEID.
• Lactanet RECEIVE: Fixed an issue where system did not convert some of the lactation totals and projections in the Canadian RECEIVE for herds that use pounds instead of kilos.
• Lactanet Genomics: We now support the import of the Canadian format genomics files, DNV files, which are created and distributed by Lactanet. You can use the command IMPORTF\V to import them.

• Fixed an issue where the system did not properly display event technician names in the CowCare usage summary.
• Fixed a problem where the system would print the wrong table.

Fixed a problem where the system could might not load animals with a missing previous lactation in the initial PULSE load.

• Fixed a problem where, in some cases, the system would lose data about the previous lactation if you used RESTORE on a deleted cow.
• You can now configure DCCLIENT to create automatic local backups. If you want to enable this feature, open the Client Configuration menu and check the box next to the option.
• Resolved an issue where the system would display an error message ("Cannot find Cowfile.ARC") if you ran the BREDSUM by Tech report, then clicked on a technician.
• Improved SIRES\9 so that it can now be used to update sire items for dead cows, as well as live cows (e.g. SIRES\9 PL:PL FOR ID>0).
• Fixed an issue where some transactions from Chinese DCCLIENTs would not process correctly on the server.
• Added the Holstein Muscle Weakness trait (GHMW) and Brown Swiss BH14 haplotype (GBH14) to the genomics import.
• If herds use sire short names as the default, the system now displays semen type of the sire (e.g. Sexed, Beef, etc.) in the picklist for BRED or SEMINV commands.
• Added the Selective Dry Cow Therapy GUIDE tab to the Russian GUIDE.
• When EPLOT was used to load milk weights on a client, the system would show "Cow Not Found" held command errors on the server. These have been changed to Activity Log messages.
• Fixed the header column alignment for the BREDSUM\R report.
• Fixed an issue where if you selected Help > About from the toolbar while the internet was disconnected, the program could temporarily freeze.
• Posted the USA sire file with December 2023 proofs.
• Posted the Canadian sire file with December 2023 proofs.
• Fixed instances where a previously-used protocol number was incorrectly used in subsequent ENTER commands.
• Resolved an issue where the system did not properly apply hospital pens to protocols when the pen number was over 999.
• Fixed an issue where the system did not properly input enter spaces in the protocol detail dialog.
• Resolved an instance where combo events for V9 included an erroneous event 72.
• Fixed an issue where the Previous Pen item was not working properly for pens numbered higher than 255.

• Czech Republic: Released a traceability/government reporting system for the Czech Republic. This is in early beta testing at this time.
• Heifer Pro: Fixed a problem with sires in the HeiferPro import, which was caused by the inclusion of sire names in the export file.
• MN FTECH: Modify the configuration for the MNDHI Degree of Difficulty entry.
• Germany SEND: Requested a change for SEND\D commands to properly designate SOLD and CAR code usages.
• Delpro: The "Suspect milk deviation" was not being properly set in the SETMILK configuration dialog for Delpro. This has been fixed.
• Delpro: Resolved an issue where the stall numbers displayed in the Delpro Rotary Parlor report were off by one.
• Dairy One FTECH: Fixed the SEND command for Dairy One, which did not support more than 32,000 cows in the cowfile.
• Jersey Genomics: Updated the formulas for the Jersey Performance Index (JPI) and Jersey Udder Index (JUI) calculations.
• SCR/Allflex: Removed the alert that was posted if a cow ID of zero was in the import file.

Moved all remaining CowCare version 1.0 customers to CowCare version 2.0. See CowCare to learn more about using the new version of CowCare!

Fixed a problem where SOLD/DIED events were not properly removed from PULSE if a cow was mistakenly sold and then restored in DC305.

• Resolved an issue where the system did not properly send protocols to PCC for V9 herds in DairyComp version 23.12.
• We now send more details about Source Farm names and IDs to PCC.