Five Facts about Record Keeping

Why Record Keeping Is Essential for Modern Sheep and Goat Farms

Effective record keeping provides a clear picture of a farm’s operations. By tracking metrics like breeding dates, birth weights, and growth rates, farmers can identify high-performing animals and make informed breeding decisions. For instance, records of kidding or lambing outcomes help pinpoint which ewes or does produce strong, healthy offspring, allowing farmers to refine their genetic selection. Similarly, monitoring feed consumption and weight gain ensures optimal nutrition, reducing waste and improving feed efficiency. These insights translate into healthier herds and higher yields, whether for meat, milk, or fiber. Detailed breeding records form the foundation of any successful genetic improvement program. Documenting pedigrees, birth, and growth related rates, and production metrics helps identify superior breeding stock. Over time, these records reveal which bloodlines consistently produce offspring with desirable traits like parasite resistance, mothering ability, or carcass quality. This information becomes increasingly valuable with each generation, allowing farmers to make targeted breeding decisions that steadily improve their stock.

1. Enhances Breeding and Genetic Management

Selective breeding is vital for improving flock/herd quality, but without proper records, it’s nearly impossible to track genetic progress. By documenting: Pedigree information (sire and dam/doe lineage)

Birth weights and growth rates
Lambing/kidding intervals
Disease resistance
Milk production (for dairy goats)

Farmers can identify the best-performing animals, cull underperformers, and make strategic breeding decisions to enhance desirable traits.

2. Improves Health and Disease Management

Keeping health records allows farmers to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks. Important records include:

Vaccination schedules
Deworming and treatment history
Illness and mortality rates
Medication administration records

With this data, farmers can detect patterns, implement timely interventions, and work with veterinarians to develop effective health plans.

3. Optimizes Feeding and Nutrition

Nutrition directly impacts growth, reproduction, and milk production. Record keeping helps track:

Feed types and quantities
Weight gain trends
Forage quality and supplementation needs

By analyzing these records, farmers can adjust feeding programs to reduce costs while maximizing animal performance.

4. Boosts Financial Management and Profitability

A well-maintained financial record system helps farmers:

Track expenses (feed, medications, labor, equipment)
Monitor income (sales of meat, milk, wool, or breeding stock)
Evaluate profitability per animal or flock/herd

This data is crucial for budgeting, securing loans, and identifying areas where costs can be cut without sacrificing productivity.

5. Ensures Compliance and Certification

Many markets, especially organic or export-oriented buyers, require detailed farm records for certification. Proper documentation ensures compliance with:

Government regulations (animal welfare, traceability)
Organic or humane farming standards
Annual inventory
Treatments and vaccination
Record holding for up to 5 years
And more…

Some Requirements for Sheep and Goat Farms

A comparison of regulatory requirements across five major countries.

Requirement	United Kingdom	United States	Canada	France	Germany
Registration	Farm must register with Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to obtain County Parish Holding (CPH) number	Must register premises with state authorities and obtain premises/flock ID in National Scrapie database	Must register with Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and obtain premises ID	Must register with national identification database	Must register with authorities; electronic identification mandatory since 2010
Animal Identification	Official ear tags or electronic identifiers; must be applied by 9 months (6 months if kept indoors)	USDA-approved scrapie ear tag or legible USDA-assigned flock ID tattoo	Official Canadian ear tag with ISO 11784 standard format (15 digits)	Electronic identification mandatory	Electronic identification mandatory since 2010
Movement Records	Must record animal movements within 36 hours; report to Livestock Information Service	Movement documentation required; must report changes in ownership	Movement certificates required for transport between premises	Movement documentation required for transport between farms	Movement documentation required; follows EU regulations
Death Records	Must record deaths within 36 hours of discovery	Required to maintain mortality records for 5 years	Must keep record of deaths	Required to document animal deaths	Required to document animal deaths
Health Records	Must document vaccinations, treatments, and disease incidents	Must maintain health records; testing documentation required	Health certificates required for transport; documentation of tests	Must maintain health records including treatments	Must document health events and treatments
Annual Inventory	Required to complete annual inventory by January deadline	Annual inventory may be required depending on state	Annual inventory required	Annual inventory required	Annual inventory required
Record Retention	Must keep records for at least 3 years	Must keep records for at least 5 years after sale or death	Must maintain records for inspection	Must maintain records for inspection	Must maintain records for at least 3 years
Special Requirements	Must record replacement tags and document breeding information	Special requirements for imported animals and offspring of pregnant imports	Birth premises documentation for export animals	Follows EU regulations for organic certification	Special regulations for organic farming; pasture access requirements
Penalties for Non-Compliance	Movement restrictions, reduced subsidy payments, fines, prosecution	Movement restrictions, loss of certification, penalties per federal/state laws	Penalties per federal regulations	Fines and administrative penalties	Fines and administrative penalties

Enhancing Farm Management and Productivity

Successful sheep and goat farming requires much more than just traditional husbandry skills. Meticulous record keeping has become a cornerstone of profitable and sustainable small ruminant operations. Proper documentation helps farmers make informed decisions, improve productivity, and ensure profitability. Whether you're a small-scale producer or a large commercial operation, maintaining accurate records can significantly impact your farm’s success.