On-line DCS registration

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:25 pm

I just want to say what a very real improvement it is to be able to register calves with DCS on-line. :D

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 1:19 pm

Yes, and not only for registrations but for looking at pedigrees so easy, better than the Ped e View disc system and so easy it just does not compare with balancing 12 open herd books on various pieces of furniture whilst trying to trace animals on paper. I just hope the users appreciate all the work that goes into producing such things, both entering the info and of course all the checking that goes on behind the scenes before herd books etc are published.

Duncan

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 2:23 pm

Yes, it's excellent. Especially the pedigree lookup. It's so easy.

Minnie · Post by **Minnie** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:41 am

It seems the herd book still only available to DCS UK members to view, once registered.

It's very disappointing when you'd like to follow back further than what the Australian Herdbook shows (which is public viewable).

I did write to them but haven't heard a word since saying they'd look at it.

I know for me having the Australian herd book available before buying gave me a better understanding of the lineage I was looking for.

Vicki

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:39 pm

I have to agree with Vicki - I would love to research back a bit further and this could have been a great tool. How unfortunate it is not available for the general (web) public to view.

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:01 pm

Another incentive to joint the DCS!! I don't think herd books have ever been given away free to all and sundry, and the web herdbook will not have come cheap. Perhaps an "associate membership" could be arranged for a lesser than full membership fee for those who wish to use the facility.
Maybe someone in the know in DCS could tell us what sort of investment has been made and what the yearly running costs of the system are - it might frighten us all. I don't know how the American and Australian folk pay for their systems - these things either must be costing the membership or be paid for by sponsors or advertisers I would have thought.

Duncan

wagra dexters · Post by **wagra dexters** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:59 am

Australian book, disc and online herd books are paid for from membership fees, although the book & disc must now be ordered, and nominal postage paid by recipient. Online is publicly available.
Annual membership is $110, 45.86 GBP.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:30 am

I fail to see what is gained by keeping it private. People aren't going to decide whether to join or not because of the herd book being online. It just comes across to me as somewhat mean. Being online should mean that the costs are minimal once it is set up which is the difficult bit.

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:53 am

Please don't provide any reason for putting up subscriptions. I have just experienced a leap from £30 to £70 a year if I wish to belong to that club and continue to register my animals. I have opted out of the club. It is disappointing but it is not fair. I'd walk away from any club which behaved like that and I doubt I'm the only one.

Woodmagic · Post by **Woodmagic** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:43 pm

The main object of a breed Society should be to provide adequate proof that an animal’s breeding is correctly recorded. Thus ensuring the purchaser can be reasonably certain of .the performance.
Folks from abroad are trying to ascertain the pedigrees of bulls, which have been exported for good prices, and I cannot see why they should want to continue if records are not readily available. They have already paid their money.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:14 pm

I've just used the only other herd books I could find on the web to do animal searches, I think American and Australian sites (couldn't load Canada and New Zealand doesn't appear to have one). Both were open and available. our herd book should be open access. The people paying for the registrations have already covered the cost.

Minnie · Post by **Minnie** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:55 am

It's good to see some support for an open online herd book.

I can see why the costs for CD or paper copy (from memory the Australian one is approx $10?) which is fair enough. But the whole intention of the internet was for information and it's somewhat like a secret society when something like this is closed.

I have to say I wouldn't pay for associate membership of the DCS I've already paid for full membership of the DCAI.

Just my extra 2 cents...

Regards

Vicki

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 6:31 am

Herd Books do require a lot of research when being compiled. I found a few entries that had inconsistances, while I was doing some research and reported back to our present Herd Registrar. He has done an awful lot of work in getting the Herd Book correct and putting out an electronic copy as well as the yearly updated paper version. All at a very reasonably cost.

He hasn't attempted an on-line version as he isn't comfortable with setting up a server or website. I'm sure that one day it will happen. Just not soon.

It is however, quite possible to get an extended pedigree emailed off the electronic version. I'm quite happy to look up a NZ animal for anyone and email the pedigree, if I'm able. It usually requires help from my Husband, the computer engineer though. :laugh:

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 6:41 am

If the old herd book is a paper one, then presumably it's in a Word Document or some other package. You should be able to just export it, or "print" it to a PDF file and then stick it on the web.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 10:13 am

I don't think our Herd Registrar is interested in putting the Herd Book on-line. He's nervous of computer viruses and hackers. It is extra work, keeping it up-dated.

I guess if someone volunteered to do it, it might happen. Setting up a website does cost money though and the council hasn't budgeted for it. I'm hopeful it'll happen one day though.