VetCheck Features
Reports
VetCheck Community
Support
Program Documentation
FAQ
VetCheck is designed for small to medium size dairy herds (9 to 500 cows). The busy manager who has many tasks on the farm will appreciate the quick and easy data entry, as well as the practical and flexible management lists.
VetCheck software is FREE! Software support packages are optional but encouraged for herds of under 50 cows and 50 heifers. Larger herds must purchase support and have their data access expanded by us.
Support and data access packages start at start at $75. See the FAQ section on support and pricing.
Vetcheck is available in English, French and Spanish.
Keeping software relevant to a changing dairy industry is not a job for a single person, or even a small group of programmers and dairy experts. VetCheck began as a community effort, and its future depends on it. To further encourage and support users to join this effort, we have opened up the source code of the program and developed a new pricing strategy, where VetCheck Community contributions reduce or even eliminate annual support and update fees.
Contact us for details on how you can contribute!
Support includes e-mail support, phone support, support via internet remote access, free updates, and performance comparisons to other herds in your region. VC International distributes VetCheck software for free, and only charges for support!
In order to keep VetCheck support at a price that everyone can afford, we have priced support by herd size (which in general reflects support time required). Small herds of 50 cows or less can continue to use Vetcheck for free without support (although we recommend a support package for all users).
Support packages begin at $75 per year for a single year and herd of 9 to 75 cows. Discounts are available for 2 year support packages. Contact us for current pricing on larger herds or multiple herd use. Discounts or “credits” can be earned by supporting the VetCheck Community.
Download the French Version
Download the Spanish Version
If you have a problem downloading the installation file contact us to arrange another method.
TO PROTECT PREVIOUS VETCHECK DATA, DO NOT RE-INSTALL VETCHECK ON COMPUTERS CURRENTLY RUNNING VETCHECK. Only updates can be installed safely. We will contact you with instructions for installing updates. Contact us if you need to re-install VetCheck.
Download Instructions
After you select "Download”, you may be given options. Select Save. If you save the setup file to the "Desktop" it will be easy to find later, but you may save it to any location with any filename. After downloading, you will have a file on your hard drive, in the directory or "folder" and filename that you chose. If you downloaded the file directly to your desktop, it will appear as an icon on the desktop, and you can select the icon to install. If the installation file is located in a folder, you can use Windows Explorer to locate and open the file.
NOTE WINDOWS 7 AND VISTA USERS:
With the install file on the desktop, right click on it. Then select Properties. Select the Compatibility Tab, and then check the box, making sure you have set it for "compatible with Windows XP". You may also need to select "Run as Administrator". After a successful installation, simply select the desktop icon to run VetCheck. However, some users may need to follow the same steps as in running the installation (set the VetCheck icon for compatibility mode for Windows XP, and specify running as administrator).
Documentation and Help Files
| FILE (Size) |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Manual.pdf (.5MB) |
The same documentation available from within VetCheck (Help). Requires Adobe Acrobat - (free download of the reader here). |
| vetcheck.chm (.2MB) |
Indexed help file for VetCheck software. |
| learnreportbuilder.chm (.6MB) |
Indexed help file for building Custom Reports. |
| learnrb.exe (3.3MB) |
Download and run this in order to install the independent Report Builder tutorial, which has general examples of building custom reports. |
| protimport.txt (2KB) |
Details on importing protocols that you downloaded or received from another VetCheck user. |
| vc-unfreeze.txt (3.1KB) |
Tips on getting started again if VetCheck will not run. |
| customimports.txt (1KB) |
Instructions on importing and installing Custom Reports |
| vista-win7.txt (1.3KB) |
Instructions installing VetCheck on Windows Vista or Windows 7 |
USER SUPPORT AND PRICING
What is the most efficient way to get help and support?
First, check out the indexed help system
from the help system from the Help menu in VetCheck.
If you still need help, often it is most efficient to
make a backup of the herd (from Utilities) and attach
it to an e-mail. Send to: support@vcidairy.com.
What limitations are on the “Free” VetCheck?
The full and complete operational program is free.
The ONLY restriction is that the database size is
limited to a maximum of 50 adult cows (lactation #1
or more), AND 50 heifers. Also, it is not possible
to compare your herd performance to other herds without
assistance and that means subscribing to support.
Why pay for support if I have 50 cows or less?
The choice is yours. Support is
generally worth the cost,
as most users require some help –
plus you will automatically receive
updates and be able to compare your
herd's performance to others. You also
have the option of seeing if you need support,
and “opting in” in later. Support prices start
at $75 for one year, which provides support,
plus expansion of the data base to 75 cows.
I have more than 50 cows – how does that work?
For over 50 cows, support is
required, and the pricing varies with herd size
and support package (starting at $75). Contact
us for current pricing details. After paying
for support, we simply provide a key that will
expand your data base size.
What if I do not pay for or renew support?
Nothing -except that you are not
eligible for support until you do pay.
Your current database size continues
to be valid. For example, if you paid
for a 200 cow database expansion and support,
and do not renew support, you will still be
able to use the 200 cow sized database.
But you will not get updates and the other
forms of support until you renew your support
payment.
Can Vetcheck be used with multiple herds – what about pricing?
Yes. Special arrangements must
be made with VC International. Multiple herd
VetCheck is used by “regional centers”, such
as veterinary clinics that serve several farms.
These centers can provide the regional herd
comparisons.
PROGRAM USE QUESTIONS
Why 9 to 500 cows? What about 600 cows?
Vetcheck was developed with use in these types of herds.
Even a 9 cow dairy on VetCheck has benefited
tremendously from the management lists and
performance summaries. For larger herds some excellent
software has been developed which connects to
milk parlor or robotic systems. These programs
try to do everything for everybody and are good
but complex. Fortunately such farms have many
experts and advisers as consultants or even have
on-farm technical staff.
Can VetCheck data be imported/exported to other systems?
Yes. For example, it is possible
to convert DairyComp data from and to the
VetCheck software database. Data and reports
can be exported to spreadsheets and various
file formats. Data can be imported from many DHI
centers. Formats vary and may change, so
customization and conversion fees may apply in some
cases.
What if my computer crashes?
Contact us for assistance re-installing and
re-expanding your database. Hopefully you made a
backup from the VetCheck Utility menu, or at least
have a backup of your hard drive! If not, you will
need to enter data manually from paper copies or
import some data from another system such as DHI.
Can I use VetCheck on two computers?
Yes. One must be designated as
the “primary” computer for entering new cows.
You need to have a method to move the backup file
from one computer to the other (flash drive, CD,
e-mail).
How can I speed up data entry?
Use context-sensitive help
(F1 key) while in a data entry screen
to see some of the methods and tricks.
Customize your selections for ovaries,
uterus, comments, etc. so if you start to
type a word, the auto-completion speeds you up.
Use the “Update Worksheets” feature when
possible to avoid needing to enter cow
names, exam dates, etc. Some events can be
applied to the entire herd or a group of
cows with a single entry.
Some cows are missing on my Reproductive Worksheet!
Cows are selected on the basis
of settings under Herd-Programs-Reproductive-Examinations.
Check these settings carefully and analyze the record
of the cow(s) in question. If still an issue, make a
VetCheck backup of the herd and attach it to an
e-mail along with an explanation. Send to:
support@vcidairy.com.
Why do I get error messages like “Invalid breeding date - cow is PG”?
Examine the cow's history. You
may wish to print the cow history
(Individual-Select-Update-Print cow). The logic of
the error message should be apparent! Edit the cow
file as needed. To examine inconsistent data in the
entire herd run the BioCheck utility
and print the report.
How do I show Ultrasound results like “Twins” or “Heifer” on a report?
When entering a “palpation”
event, there is a reminder under the
“Comments” field that you can enter a “*”
first – which will show up to 4 characters
in the comments section of the Due Cow Report.
Multiple comments can be shown, but if a pregnancy
loss occurs, the comments are cleared for the next
pregnancy.
