Livestock Incident Log Template
A simple way to record health issues, injuries, and deaths in your herd.
Read time: 4 minutes
Why keep an incident log?
Writing down what happens to your animals helps you spot patterns. If several cows get sick around the same time, you can look back and figure out why. It also helps when talking to vets or applying for insurance.
What to record
For every incident (sickness, injury, death, or unusual behavior), write down:
Basic information
- Date: When did you notice the problem?
- Animal ID: Tag number, ear tag, or name
- Type of incident: Sickness, injury, death, lameness, not eating, etc.
Symptoms or signs
- What did you see? (limping, runny nose, not moving, bloated stomach, etc.)
- How long has it been going on?
- Is it getting worse or staying the same?
Action taken
- What did you do? (called vet, gave medicine, isolated the animal, etc.)
- What medicine or treatment was used? (name, dose, how many days)
- Who treated it? (you, vet, assistant)
Outcome
- Did the animal recover? How long did it take?
- Did it die? When?
- Any follow-up needed? (re-check in 1 week, vaccinate others, etc.)
Example log entry
Date: 12 Nov 2025
Animal ID: Cow #47 (yellow ear tag)
Incident type: Not eating, weak
Symptoms: Stopped eating 2 days ago, lying down more than usual, eyes look dull
Action taken: Called vet. Gave antibiotic injection (Oxytetracycline 20ml). Isolated from herd.
Outcome: Started eating again after 3 days. Fully recovered by 20 Nov. Returned to herd.
How to use the log over time
- Spot patterns: If 3 animals get sick in the same week, look for common causes (water source, new feed, weather change)
- Track treatment effectiveness: If a medicine didn't work last time, try a different one
- Share with vet: Bring your log when the vet visits. It helps them diagnose faster.
- Claim insurance: Some livestock insurance requires records of deaths and treatments
Tips for keeping good records
- Write it down immediately: Don't wait until the end of the day. You might forget details.
- Use photos: Take a photo of injuries or symptoms. Attach it to the log entry if using Torade app.
- Keep it simple: Don't overcomplicate. A few bullet points per incident is enough.
- Review monthly: Look back at the past month. Are there trends? Do you need to change feeding, vaccination, or management?
Quick checklist
- ✓ Record every incident (sickness, injury, death)
- ✓ Include date, animal ID, symptoms, action, and outcome
- ✓ Take photos if possible
- ✓ Review logs monthly to spot patterns
- ✓ Share records with vets and co-op managers
Next steps
Use the Torade Livestock Monitoring tool to log incidents digitally. It's easier to search and share with others. Start logging today—even small notes add up to valuable insights.