Summary

To improve the herd health and production management on swine breeding farms the Department of Herd Health and Ambulatory Clinic (University of Utrecht) developed a computer package. The basic package includes action lists, physical performance reports, analysis and economic programs. During the development of the software package it was emphasised that the programs should be user friendly (easy to handle, with no special codes), and should have an enormous flexibility to guarantee easy updating and a long life for the whole package.

The Standard MUMPS system, which offers a unique data base structure and access method, was thus employed. The software runs on. a central mini‐computer with telephonelines for farmers and veterinary surgeons. In addition, the ‘post‐in post‐out’ method can be used; a micro‐computer version of the package also is available.