Codes aid in storing and transferring data efficiently. They are used for information that has relatively few possible values and to assign records to classes. DRPC's receive information from dairy farms, supervisors and laboratories. Identification of the DRPC on a record is helpful for tracing problems and returning information to the correct DRPC as records from one state may be processed at several DRPC's.
Plans differ in amount and type of data collected and in degree of supervision.
The code for kind of test is the basis for selecting and weighting records for genetic evaluations. The code for cows sold for dairy purposes allows selection of the appropriate record if a cow has records in more than one herd for the same lactation. Because the most recent information is included in genetic evaluations, RIP's are an important source of data. However, RIP's are not retained in the genetic evaluation system because they usually are replaced by 305-day records. Both RIP's and 305-day records with less than 305 days in milk are projected to 305 days for calculation of genetic evaluations.