Foundational Daily Workflows

Daily farm operations form the operational backbone of animal management. These are routine workflows that repeat every day: health checks, treatment administration, observation recording, and task completion. With practice, these workflows become second nature, ensuring consistent animal care while maintaining complete documentation for regulatory compliance.

This section covers three core daily workflows:

1. Morning Routine - Starting the day with location checks and initial observations
2. Health Check - Systematic animal health assessment and documentation
3. Treatment Administration - From treatment task to execution and follow-up

Workflow 1: Morning Routine

Overview

The morning routine establishes the day's operational baseline. You verify all animals are present and accounted for, identify any health concerns, and plan the day's tasks. This workflow typically takes 30-60 minutes depending on animal count and facility complexity.

When to use: Every morning, ideally at the same time daily for consistency

Timeline: 30-60 minutes (farms with 50-200 animals); scales with operation size

Prerequisites

Before starting:

• Locations configured in Kora (Chapter 2)
• Animals registered (Chapter 8)
• Mobile device charged with GPS enabled
• Previous day's tasks completed or noted

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Location Walk-Through (Mobile)

Start at first location with mobile device:

1. Open Kora mobile app
2. Navigate to first location (e.g., "North Paddock")
3. View animals assigned to this location
4. Physically observe and count animals

What happens automatically:

• GPS coordinates recorded with each observation
• Location timestamp logged
• Animal list filtered to current location

Step 2: Population Verification (Mobile)

For each location, verify animal populations match expectations:

Individual Animals:

• Scan through individual animal list
• Verify each high-value animal present (breeding stock, clinical patients, endangered species)
• Note any animals missing or in wrong location

Animal Mobs (Groups):

• Count total animals in mob
• Compare to expected count
• Note discrepancies (births, deaths, movements not yet recorded)

Decision Point: If animals missing:

• Check adjacent locations (may have moved through fence)
• Check for unrecorded movements (someone moved animals yesterday without logging)
• Check for unrecorded deaths
• Create task to investigate if can't resolve immediately

Step 3: Quick Health Observations (Mobile)

As you observe animals, record quick health notes:

1. Tap animal or mob name
2. Select "Add Observation" (Chapter 7.1)
3. Record: General condition, behavioural observations, physical observations, environmental conditions

For Individual Animals:

• Record observations for any animal showing concerning signs
• Record observations for animals under treatment or monitoring
• Record observations for pregnant/nursing animals

For Animal Mobs:

• Record mob-level observations (overall health status, behaviour patterns)
• Note percentages if relevant ("5-10% showing mild respiratory signs")
• Flag specific individuals for detailed examination if needed

What happens automatically:

• Observations timestamped and GPS-tagged
• Observations linked to animal and location records
• Observations added to animal health history
• Traceability events created (Chapter 12)

Step 4: Record Immediate Concerns (Mobile)

If you observe anything requiring immediate attention:

1. Record detailed observation with severity level: Low (monitor), Moderate (requires attention today), High (urgent), Critical (emergency)
2. Mark "Requires Follow-Up" if veterinary attention needed
3. Take photos if possible

What happens automatically:

• High/Critical severity observations create tasks automatically
• Notifications sent to relevant team members (Chapter 26.4)
• If "Requires Follow-Up" marked: Task created for veterinary consultation, veterinarian notified

Step 5: Repeat for All Locations (Mobile)

Move through all locations systematically:

• Follow consistent route (same order daily)
• Record observations at each location
• Note any infrastructure issues
• Document environmental hazards

Step 6: Review and Plan (Desktop)

Return to office and switch to desktop:

1. Open Kora on desktop
2. Review morning observations: view observation summary, identify patterns, review auto-created tasks
3. Plan day's work: immediate actions (High/Critical observations), scheduled tasks (treatments, health checks), follow-up items (moderate observations), infrastructure repairs
4. Assign tasks to team members (Chapter 26.2)

What happens automatically:

• Task list populated with recurring daily tasks
• Treatment tasks auto-generated from treatment plans
• Dashboard updated with current animal status

Step 7: Communicate with Team (Desktop/Mobile)

If working with a team, coordinate the day's work:

1. Review task assignments with team members
2. Brief team on any immediate concerns
3. Coordinate who handles which locations today
4. Share any biosecurity concerns

Common Variations

Dairy Farm (100-200 cows, mob management):

• Morning routine combined with milking operations
• Mob-level observations focused on milk production indicators
• Timeline: 45-60 minutes (combined with milking prep)

Zoo (200 animals, 50 species, all individual tracking):

• Keeper assigned to specific animal collection areas
• Individual observations for every animal
• More detailed behavioural observations
• Timeline: 60-90 minutes per keeper for assigned collection

Wildlife Reserve (500+ animals, primarily mob tracking):

• Ranger patrols across territories
• Sighting-based observations (may not see every animal daily)
• Focus on population counts
• Timeline: 2-3 hours for territory patrol

Time Required

Typical timelines by operation size:

• Small (20-50 animals): 30-45 minutes
• Medium (50-200 animals): 45-75 minutes
• Large (200-500 animals): 90-120 minutes
• Very Large (500+ animals): 2-3 hours (distributed across team)

Workflow 2: Health Check

Overview

Health checks are systematic examinations of individual animals or mobs to assess health status, identify early signs of disease, monitor treatment progress, and document animal condition. Health checks may be opportunistic (during morning routine), scheduled (weekly/monthly), or triggered by previous observations requiring follow-up.

When to use:

• Scheduled routine health assessments
• Follow-up from previous concerning observations
• Pre-movement health verification
• Post-treatment monitoring

Timeline: 5-15 minutes per individual animal; 15-30 minutes per mob

Prerequisites

Before starting:

• Animals registered in Kora
• Previous health history accessible
• Assessment checklist prepared
• Equipment ready (thermometer, stethoscope, scales if needed)

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Prepare for Health Check

For scheduled systematic checks:

1. Review animals due for assessment
2. Review any current treatments
3. Prepare assessment checklist
4. Gather equipment

For follow-up checks:

1. Open original observation
2. Review symptoms reported previously
3. Review treatments administered since
4. Note what to specifically check for

Step 2: Conduct Systematic Assessment (Mobile)

Use systematic approach covering key health indicators:

Visual Assessment (All Animals):

• Body Condition, Coat/Skin Condition, Eyes, Nose/Mouth, Movement, Behaviour, Visible Injuries

Physical Examination (If Appropriate):

• Temperature, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Hydration, Body Weight

Step 3: Record Health Observation (Mobile)

In Kora mobile app:

1. Select animal or mob
2. Tap "Add Observation" (Chapter 7.1)
3. Record findings: Observation Type, Body Condition Score, Clinical Findings, Severity, Photos, Weight, Temperature/Vitals
4. Compare to previous observations
5. Set follow-up requirements

Decision Point: Does This Require Veterinary Attention?

Yes (Contact Veterinarian) if:

• Significant deterioration since last check
• New severe symptoms
• Animal not responding to treatment as expected
• Uncertainty about diagnosis or treatment approach

No (Continue Monitoring) if:

• Condition stable or improving
• Minor symptoms within normal variation
• Treatment plan showing expected progress

Step 4: Create Treatment or Monitoring Tasks

Based on health check findings:

If treatment needed:

1. Create treatment task
2. Specify medication, dosage, frequency, duration
3. Calculate withdrawal period for food-producing animals
4. Assign to qualified team member

If monitoring needed:

1. Create follow-up observation task
2. Specify what to monitor
3. Set timeframe
4. Link to original observation

What happens automatically:

• Observation recorded in permanent health history
• Traceability event created
• Tasks auto-created if severity marked High/Critical
• Veterinarian notified if "Requires Follow-Up" marked

Common Variations

Pre-Movement Health Check: Verify animal healthy before transport, sale, exhibition. Comprehensive examination, often requires veterinarian. Timeline: 24-48 hours before movement.

Post-Treatment Monitoring: Verify treatment efficacy, adjust treatment if needed. Scheduled per treatment plan. Timeline: Daily, every 3 days, weekly.

Emergency Health Check: Assess suspected disease outbreak, injury, or acute illness. Focused on suspected issue, rapid triage. Timeline: Immediate.

Time Required

Per Animal:

• Visual health check: 3-5 minutes
• Basic physical examination: 10-15 minutes
• Comprehensive examination: 20-30 minutes

Per Mob:

• Visual assessment: 10-15 minutes
• Sample-based examination: 30-60 minutes

Workflow 3: Treatment Administration

Overview

Treatment administration transforms treatment plans into action: from scheduled treatment tasks through execution, documentation, inventory management, and follow-up monitoring. This workflow ensures treatments are administered safely and correctly while maintaining complete audit trails for regulatory compliance.

When to use:

• Scheduled treatment from treatment plan
• One-time treatments prescribed by veterinarian
• Recurring treatments (daily injections, multi-day antibiotic courses)
• Emergency treatments

Timeline: 5-10 minutes preparation + 2-5 minutes per animal administration + 5 minutes documentation

Prerequisites

Before starting:

• Treatment plan exists or treatment task created (Chapter 10.2)
• Animal identity confirmed
• Inventory product available (Chapter 14)
• Equipment prepared
• Personnel trained and authorised

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Review Treatment Task (Desktop or Mobile)

Open treatment task from task list:

1. View task details: animal identification, medication/product, dosage and administration route, treatment purpose
2. Verify task ready for execution: check timing, check animal status, check inventory

Step 2: Prepare Treatment Materials (Field/Barn)

Gather everything needed before approaching animal:

Equipment: Syringes, needles, restraint equipment, gloves, sharps disposal container

Product: Retrieve product from storage, verify product identity, check expiry date, note batch/lot number, inspect product

Calculate Dosage: Weigh animal if needed, calculate dosage, draw calculated dose into syringe

Step 3: Locate and Restrain Animal (Field/Mobile)

Individual Animals:

1. Navigate to animal's current location
2. Locate specific animal
3. Safely approach and restrain
4. Calm animal before administration

Animal Mobs:

1. Yard mob into handling facility
2. Process animals individually through system
3. Identify each animal as treated
4. Ensure every animal receives treatment

Step 4: Administer Treatment (Field)

Follow proper administration technique for route specified:

Intramuscular (IM): Site selection, inject into muscle mass, aspirate, inject slowly

Subcutaneous (SC): Site selection, tent skin, insert needle, inject slowly

Oral: Drenching gun, balling gun, ensure animal swallows

Topical: Pour-on, spot-on, spray

Step 5: Record Treatment (Mobile)

Immediately after administration, record in Kora:

1. Open animal record
2. Navigate to Treatments, Record Treatment Administered
3. Enter treatment details: Product, Batch/Lot Number, Dosage, Route, Administration Site, Date/Time, Purpose
4. Kora calculates automatically: Withdrawal Period, Expiry Date, Inventory Deduction, Cost
5. Photos (if relevant)

What happens automatically:

• Treatment recorded in animal health history
• Withdrawal period tracking activated
• Inventory automatically reduced
• Treatment cost logged
• Traceability event created
• AMR data recorded (if antimicrobial medication)
• Next dose scheduled (if multi-day treatment plan)
• Task marked completed

Step 6: Monitor for Adverse Reactions (Field/Barn)

After administration, observe animal for immediate reactions:

Common Adverse Reactions: Injection site reactions, allergic reactions, anaphylaxis (EMERGENCY), behavioural changes

Monitoring protocol:

• Observe for 10-15 minutes after injection
• Watch for signs of distress
• Have veterinarian contact information ready

If adverse reaction:

1. Record reaction immediately
2. Contact veterinarian immediately if severe
3. Provide supportive care
4. Document reaction in treatment record

Step 7: Clean Up and Dispose (Field/Barn)

Proper cleanup ensures safety:

• Dispose of used needles and syringes in sharps container
• Clean reusable equipment
• Return unused product to proper storage
• Wash hands thoroughly

Step 8: Schedule Follow-Up (Mobile or Desktop)

Based on treatment type, schedule appropriate follow-up:

For Multi-Day Treatment Plans: Next dose auto-scheduled

For Single Treatments: Schedule follow-up observation (typically 48-72 hours after treatment)

For Preventive Treatments: Schedule next routine treatment

For Emergency Treatments: Schedule immediate veterinary follow-up

Common Variations

Mob Treatment (Vaccinating Entire Flock):

• Yard entire mob into handling facility
• Process through race/chute system
• Individual animals identified and marked as treated
• Timeline: 2-3 minutes per animal including handling

Emergency Treatment (Acute Illness):

• No prior task exists (created on-the-spot)
• Immediate administration based on clinical judgement
• Document treatment and create formal treatment plan afterward
• Timeline: 10-20 minutes including preparation and monitoring

Chronic Treatment (Daily Medication):

• Recurring task auto-generated daily
• Animal becomes accustomed to routine
• Long-term monitoring for adverse effects
• Timeline: 5 minutes per dose after routine established

Time Required

Per Individual Animal:

• Preparation: 5-10 minutes
• Locate and restrain: 3-5 minutes
• Administration: 1-2 minutes
• Documentation: 2-3 minutes
• Monitoring: 5-10 minutes
• Total: 15-30 minutes per animal

Per Mob (Group Treatment):

• Setup: 15-30 minutes
• Per animal: 2-3 minutes
• Cleanup: 10-15 minutes
• Total: 1-3 hours for 50-100 animal mob