Straw Transactions

Straw Transactions

Artificial Insemination (AI) and Embryo Transfer (ET) breeding programs use "straws" of semen or embryo to impregnate selected breeders. This is a high value, targeted process that carefully selects a particular male for each female.  The individual straws can be expensive so traceability and eliminating wastage is important.
Commonly, straw inventory is kept at a laboratory and ordered into a property for a one to two week-long AI/ET program.  Tanks of liquid nitrogen arrive with canisters, goblets and marker rods carefully separating straws by Type (semen/embryo), Male and Batch.  A piece of paper details where a particular straw can be found in the tank (by canister, goblet etc).
A Breeding Module subscription is required to access the Straw Transaction functionality.
Example Workflow:
  1. Your operation might own straws that are kept at a Lab. To track these;
    1. Create a new internal property to represent the Lab.
    2. Produce or Purchase transactions can be added to record details about these straws.
    3. Location (Tank, Canister, Goblet, Marker Rod) is blank as this level of detail is not required.
  2. The best Male for each Female is recorded in Joining Plan;
    1. See Joining Plan Overview for further details.
    2. It is not essential that Joining Plans are used, however when used together with locations in Straw Transactions the crush-side joining process becomes very easy for the Operator. Allowing the Male and Batch to be auto-populated, as specified in the Joining Plan, and the location of the straw in the tank as indicated by Straw Transactions.
  3. At the start of an AI/ET season, one or more Tanks of straws are sent to your Property;
    1. Use the paper form that comes with the Tank to enter a new Transfer transaction from the Lab to your Property with the details of the Tank, Canister, Goblet and Marker Rod.
    2. At any stage, extra details about the Male and Batch can be recorded in 'Straw Batch' e.g. straw colour, size etc. However, this is optional.
  4. Crush-side;
    1. When a Female is scanned a new Joining is selected with a Male and Batch, any locations with non-zero quantities of straws on the session Property will be listed.
    2. It's likely only one result will be shown and this will be auto-selected. If there are multiple results, alternative options can be manually selected by the operator.
    3. The operator uses the description location to find the correct straw in the tank, and insert into the Female.
  5. Moving to a different Property:
    1. On the scan screen, straw locations are filtered by the Session Property. If a Tank is moved to another Property, a Transfer transaction needs to be added to move the straws.
  6. End of AI/ET season;
    1. When AI/ETs have finished being applied, the excess stock needs to be returned to the Lab. Create a new Transfer transaction to return the straws to the Property that represents the Lab.
    2. A Wastage transaction can be entered to account for any discarded straws, or to correct inventory imbalances.
  7. Reporting;
    1. At any stage, reports can be run to show running total and inventory by any breakdown of Property, Male, Batch and location.
    2. Each Joining of  I - AI on observed standing heat, A - AI after fixed time from synchronisation or E - Embryo transplant type is a quantity of one straw, with a transaction type of Usage.

Transactions (web only)

The straw transactions can be recorded in StockMate using the following options:
  1. Produce
  2. Purchase
  3. Sale
  4. Transfer
  5. Wastage

Produce

When Straws are collected, the straw details are recorded in the Produce functionality. This will enable a Tenant to track the straws they have produced.
  1. Select Breeding, Straw Transactions, + New Transaction, New Produce.

  2. Select To Property from the drop-down list, + Semen Straws.
    To record an Embryo Straw, select + Embryo Straws at step 2 and continue with the steps below.
    The To Property relates to where the straws are to be stored. A new internal Property may be created to represent a Lab, if required.

  3. Select to input Male ID. Select  to search for animals that exist in StockMate, or select + to add a new animal via Society ID.
    Male search supports wildcard characters. Represent a single unknown character with '?' or multiple with '*'.

  4. Input Straw Details, as required.
    Tank, Canister, Goblet, Marker may be left blank if this level of detail is not required for inventory at this stage.

  5. Repeat steps 2-4 to record each Male and Batch combination in the transaction.
  6. Select Save.

Purchase

When a Tenant buys straws to increase their inventory, the straw details are recorded using the Purchase functionality. This enables the tenant to track their straws and purchase prices.
  1. Select Breeding, Straw Transactions, + New Transaction, New Purchase.
  2. Select To Property and enter other transaction details as required.
    The To Property relates to where the straws are to be stored. A new internal Property may be created to represent a Lab, if required.
    Enter new Item Vendors via the web main menu within Configuration, Contacts. Refer to Setup Contacts (web & app) for further information.
  3. Select + Semen Straws.
    To record a Embryo Straw, select + Embryo Straws at step 3 and continue with the steps below.

  4. Select  to input Male ID. Select  to search for animals that exist in StockMate, or select + to add a new animal via Society ID.
    Male search supports wildcard characters. Represent a single unknown character with '?' or multiple with '*'.

  5. Input Straw detail, as required. 
    Tank, Canister, Goblet, Marker may be left blank if this level of detail is not required for inventory at this stage.

  6. Repeat steps 3-5 to record each Male and Batch combination in the transaction.
  7. Select Save.

Sale

Where a Tenant owns animals and collects straws, they may sell semen and/or embryo straws to others. The details of the sale are recorded using the Sale functionality.
  1. Select Breeding, Straw Transactions, + New Transaction, New Sale.

  2. Select From Property and enter other transaction details, as required.
    Enter new Item Purchasers via the web main menu within Configuration, Contacts. Refer to Setup Contacts (web & app) for further information.

  3. Select + Semen Straws.
    To record an Embryo Straw, select + Embryo Straws at step 3 and continue with the steps below.

  4. Select  to input Male ID. Select  to search for animals that exist in StockMate, or select + to add a new animal via Society ID.
    Male search supports wildcard characters. Represent a single unknown character with '?' or multiple with '*'.

  5. Input Straw details, as required.
    Tank, Canister, Goblet, Marker may be left blank if this level of detail is not required for inventory at this stage.

  6. Repeat steps 3-5 to record each Male and Batch combination in the transaction.
  7. Select Save.

Transfer

A Transfer transaction is created:
  1. At the commencement of an AI session: One or more Tanks of straws will be sent to the Property along with a paper form which details the Tank, Canister, Goblet and Marker Rod, at the start of an AI session. The Transfer transaction will record the transfer from the Lab to the Property.
  2. When moving to another property: On the Scan Screen, straw locations are filtered by the Session Property. Therefore, it is important to transfer straws if they are to be used on another property e.g., for another AI session, a Transfer transaction is recorded.
  3. At the end of an  AI session: When AI sessions have been completed, the excess stock may be returned to the Lab. The Transfer transaction will record the return of the straws to the Property that represents the Lab.
  1. Select Breeding, Straw Transactions, + New Transaction, New Transfer.
  2. Select the From Property and To Property.
    If logged in as an Area Manager, either the To or From Property must be within your Management Area. However, one of the properties can be outside your Management Area - tick Show all when a property outside your Management Area is required.

  3. Select + Semen Straws.
    To record the transfer of an Embryo Straw, select + Embryo Straws at step 3 and continue with the steps below.

  4. Select  to input Male ID. Select  to search for animals that exist in StockMate, or select + to add a new animal via Society ID.
    Male search supports wildcard characters. Represent a single unknown character with '?' or multiple with '*'.

  5. Input Straw details as required.
    If the straws are intended to be used in conjunction with a StockMate session, it is recommended to populate the Tank, Canister, Goblet and Marker information. This will allow straw location to be easily identified crush-side. See Using in a Session - On the App below for more information.
    Addition From or To lines, for the specified Male and Batch can be added using + From, or + To.

  6. Repeat steps 3-5 for each Male and Batch combination in the Transaction.
  7. Select Save.

Wastage

A wastage transaction is created to record:
  1. Straws that are discarded, damaged or where the physical count does not match the inventory levels; or
  2. Straws that are found, i.e., a negative wastage transaction is created to increase inventory levels.
  1. Select Breeding, Straw Transactions, + New Transaction, New Wastage.

  2. Select From Property and enter other transaction details, as required.

  3. Select + Semen Straws.
    To record an Embryo Straw, select +Embryo Straws at step 3 and continue with the steps below.

  4. Select  to input Male ID. Select  to search for animals that exist in StockMate, or select + to add a new animal via Society ID.
    Male search supports wildcard characters. Represent a single unknown character with '?' or multiple with '*'.

  5. Input Straw details as required.
    If you are correcting inventory from a Tank, Canister, Goblet, and/or Marker, specify the location as part of the transaction.

  6. Repeat steps 3-5 for each Male and Batch combination in the Transaction.
  7. Select Save.

Straw Batches

A batch usually comprises of multiple straws - all collected and processed at the same time. There are two types of batches: a Semen Batch and an Embryo Batch. Both Semen and Embryo Batches will only have one Male associated with them. The Batch screens can be used to record additional information about the batch.
Recording Straw/Embryo Batch information is optional.

Semen Batch

A Semen Batch has only one Male. After collection, the semen will be tested and processed into a batch of Semen Straws. All the Straws will have the same batch number.
When the straws are put through transactions and used in Joining sessions the Batch number must be referenced so the inventory will add to or taken from the appropriate place.
  1. Select Breeding, Straw Transactions, Straw Batches.

  2. Select + New Straw Batch, New Semen Batch.

  3. Select  to input Male ID. Select  to search for animals that exist in StockMate, or select + to add a new animal via Society ID.
    Male search supports wildcard characters. Represent a single unknown character with '?' or multiple with '*'.

  4. Input Batch, and any additional information.
    Enter new Laboratories via the web main menu within Configuration, Contacts. Refer to Setup Contacts (web & app) for further information.
    Density per mL = Density per straw/Straw Size
    Live Density per straw = Motility * Normal Morphology * Density per straw

  5. Select Save.

Embryo Batch

An Embryo Batch may comprise of multiple embryos with the same Donor Male and Female. After fertilisation, the embryos will be processed into straws. All the straws will have the same batch number. A single Embryo Straw would contain one embryo for implantation.
When the straws are put through transactions and used in ET sessions the Batch number must be referenced so the inventory will add to or take from the appropriate place.
  1. Select Breeding, Straw Transactions, Straw Batches.

  2. Select + New Straw Batch, New Embryo Batch.

  3. Select  to input Male ID. Select  to search for animals that exist in StockMate, or select + to add a new animal via Society ID.
    Male search supports wildcard characters. Represent a single unknown character with '?' or multiple with '*'.

  4. Input Batch, and any additional information.
    Enter new Laboratories via the web main menu within Configuration, Contacts. Refer to Setup Contacts (web & app) for further information.

  5. Select Save.

Using in a Session

When a Female is scanned and a new AI or ET Joining is selected with a Male and Batch, any locations with non-zero quantities of straws on that property is listed to be used against the animal. The first result will be auto-selected, and displays the location description to find the correct straw in the tank. If there are multiple locations for the Male and Batch combination the subsequent options can be selected manually if required.
Straws will only be displayed if the Session Property matches the Straw Property location.
If it is important that specific Males are to be artificially joined to specific females, Joining Plans could be used to allow for predefined joinings to be displayed on the scan screen to guide the operator crush-side on which straws to use. See Joining Plan Overview for further information.
Straw Transactions and Joining Plans can only be setup on the StockMate website. The details will pull down to the app on sync. Ensure the App database has been synced successfully after Straw Transactions and Joining Plans have been added on the web.
Ensure that in the Session Screen, the Session Defaults are setup correctly to indicate where a Joining Plan exists. Refer to Joining Plan Scan Screen, Session Defaults, Reporting (web & app) for further details on setting up Session Defaults prior to creating the Handling Session.

On the App

Session Defaults

  1. Add a new session on the app, refer to Create New Scan Session – Session Setup (app) for further details.
  2. In the Session Setup Animal Details section, tap Edit.

  3. Tap Pregnancy.
  4. Tick Joining, Set Default, Joined and select Joining type as required.
    Joining type of I - AI on observed standing heat, A - AI after fixed time from synchronisation or E - Embryo transplant are required to interact with Straw Transactions.
    If Females also have a Joining Plan tick Use Joining Plan for the functionality to be used. Refer to Joining Plan Overview for further information.
  5. To set Preset options, tap Add.

  6. Input male animal details, tap  to search for animals that exist in StockMate, or + to add a new animal via Society ID. Input Batch number. Continue.
    Presets can be used on the App to easily assign Joining Males and Batches to females. The preset options will be available on the scan screen as buttons for selection.

  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to add multiple presets, if required.

Scan Screen

  1. When a Female is scanned, select the Male and Batch, as required. The Inventory details will become visible to locate the straw in the Tank. Tap Save & Close.
    Joining type of I - AI on observed standing head, A - AI after fixed time from synchronisation or E - Embryo transplant are required to interact with Straw Transactions.
    All non-zero locations, that match the session property, male and batch, will be available for selection from the Inventory dropdown. If there is more than one, the option at the top of the list will be auto-selected. The location can be manually changed. 
    If 'Use Joining Plan' was selected as part of the Joining defaults, and the female has an associated Joining Plan - The Male and Batch will be auto-populated as specified by the Joining Plan.

On the Web

  1. Create the required Session, select + Add Animal.
    Refer to Create New Session - Scan Session (web) for instructions on how to add animals to a session.
  2. Select Joining Type from the drop-down list. Select Male and Batch, the Inventory details will populate automatically with locations that match the session property, male and batch. Select Save Changes.
    If using in conjunction with Joining Plan, the appropriate session defaults should be set before adding animals to the session. Refer to Joining Plan Scan Screen, Session Defaults, Reporting (web & app) for further information.
    Joining type of I - AI on observed standing heat, A- AI after fixed time from synchronisation or E - Embryo transplant are required to interact with Straw Transactions.
    All non-zero locations, that match the session property, male and batch, will be available for selection from the Inventory dropdown. If there is more than one, the option at the top of the list will be auto-selected. The location can be manually changed if required.

Reporting

For a snapshot of the available straws on hand, refer to the following articles for further information:
  1. Breeding - Inventory Report: This report is used to view Straw stock levels at a given point in time. 
  2. Breeding - Running Totals Report: This report is used to view changes to Straw stock levels over a given date range.
  3. Breeding - Transaction Detail Report: This report Report is used to view further information related to Straw Transactions.

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