Have you ever wondered why last year’s production numbers were great, but this year is struggling? Have you evaluated year to year? It is not uncommon for farmers and ranchers to rely on memory or brief notes. When you’re relying on memory alone, those details are easy to miss. That’s where production records come in.

What if you knew you could boost production and efficiency—would you stick with business as usual or take the opportunity to improve?

Production records may not be the most fun part of farm life, but they are one of the most powerful tools a farmer or rancher can use to improve efficiency and aid in decision making. Records take the guesswork out of farm management decisions and can help identify the most productive livestock or the most efficient crop practices (and those draining resources), improving your bottom line.

Record keeping does not need to be complicated. A notebook, calendar, spreadsheet, or computer software can all do the job! Each operation will determine what records are important to them, but here are some types of records to consider:

Livestock Operations:

• Animal Identification: Animals will need some type of identification for accurate records.
• Animal Inventory: Track births, deaths, sales, and purchases.
• Breeding & Reproduction: Record calving dates, sires used, calving/lambing/kidding outcomes, which dam had which offspring.
• Health & Vaccination Logs: Monitor treatments, withdrawals, illnesses, and vet visits.
• Feed Records: Note feeding schedules, types/amounts of feed, and purchase costs.
• Pasture Use: Keep a log of grazing rotations, rest periods, and forage quality.
• Performance Tracking: Weigh animals at regular intervals and monitor average daily gains or milk/egg production.

For Vegetable & Fruit Growers:

• Planting Dates: Record when and where each crop is planted.
• Harvest Yields: Track total yield by crop or variety.
• Pest & Disease Management: Log timing and type of issues, and treatments used.
• Irrigation & Fertilization: Record soil test results. Note application dates, types, and amounts.

The saying “you can’t manage what you don’t measure” rings true in agriculture. Keeping records allows you to make informed, data-driven decisions that improve both efficiency and profitability. You can identify factors, like which cultivars or livestock genetics deliver the best return on investment, and use that insight to fine-tune management practices. Records also reveal the performance of each enterprise, helping you direct your time, labor, and resources where they’ll make the biggest impact. Perhaps most importantly, consistent recordkeeping helps uncover recurring issues in your production system, allowing you to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach. With even the simplest records, you can trade guesswork for a game plan—and take your operation to the next level.

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