Using a veterinarian primarily as a consultant differs from the traditional view held by some producers. Therefore changes in understanding, attitude, and orientation may be necessary before a production oriented health program can be implemented on a majority of dairy farms. However as the dairy industry continues its development toward large-scale, highly mechanized, and technologically advanced operations, the consultation role of the veterinarian will undoubtedly increase. The veterinarian, of all persons, should know the importance of records. In the process of arriving at a diagnosis on a poorly performing animal, the veterinarian must rely on information provided from records contained in the patient's health history.
Records also are necessary to define herd prob- lems.
If the herd problem is characterized by low production, a database capable of accumulating, processing and summarizing a vast amount of data on all of the cows in the herd is necessary. This system has become an indispensable tool for the producer and the veterinarian. DHIA records can be used to evaluate individual cows as well as herd performance. These records can provide valuable information concerning income and comparing product value with feed costs. They are effective in detecting management deficiency areas, motivating labor, and as a guide to sire selection in the herd's breeding program.