Breedcow and Dynama - Getting started
Here are some instructions to help with the downloading and installation of the Breedcow and Dynama suite of programs onto your computer.
Installing the software
Step 1
Download the BDInstall602.exe file to a folder on your computer
Step 2
Once you have the file downloaded to a folder on your computer, go to that folder and find the file BDInstall602.exe.
Double-click the BDInstall602.exe file with your mouse to install the Breedcow and Dynama suite of programs The Breedcow and Dynama installation process should present you with some options as to where the programs are installed before completing the installations process.
Step 3
Once the programs are installed, there should be a new folder icon on your computer desktop.
Open this folder by double-clicking on it with your mouse cursor. Each shortcut shown in the folder should run its associated program if the installation process has been successful. The user manual that contains extensive examples and instructions can also be accessed from this folder.
Step 4
Locate the example files and scenario analyses.
Version 6.02 will create a new subdirectory named BreedcowAndDynama6.02 in the Program Files folder of the C: drive of your computer and a new directory called Breedcow Dynama 602 in the My Documents folder if the default installation process is followed.
These directories contain the program files (Program Files\BreedcowAndDynama602) and all of the support information and examples for the Breedcow and Dynama programs (My Documents\Breedcow Dynama 602).
The Breedcow and Dynama user manual can be found in the UserManual subdirectory with the examples detailed in the user manual stored in the UserManualExamples subdirectory.
The RegionalFiles subdirectory contains a series of Breedcowplus files that detail regional herd data and performance. They are currently mostly based on 2006 herd data and will be revised once the 2016 ABS census data becomes available.
The ScenarioAnalysis subdirectory contains regional models that consider the capacity of a range of strategies to improve the performance of the north Australian beef enterprise. Each region, the regional model and the potential impact of the strategies is described in the document “Improving the performance of beef enterprise in northern Australia”.
All scenarios are constructed in Breedcowplus, Dynamaplus and Investan with subdirectories containing the files associated with each regional scenario analysis. The scenarios currently analysed for the Katherine (NT) region are shown below.
What’s new in Version 6.02
Version 6.02 implements a number of changes to the Breedcow and Dynama suite of programs.
Changes include:
- Version 6 files are compatible and can be loaded by Version 6.02. Version 6.02 files cannot be loaded in Version 6.
- The PregTest macro is implemented in Breedcowplus as a table of input values that allows values to be entered for the expected conception rate, expected calf loss from conception to weaning, proportion of empties (PTE) sold and the proportion of pregnant females sold for each age group mated. Once these values are entered the PregTest macro can be run to calculate the percentage calves weaned/cows retained and an initial estimate for the Sales after mating, % of number mated for each age group mated. A new macro button has been added to the Breedcowplus tool bar to facilitate the use of the new PregTest macro.
- A new macro has been developed to allow summaries created in Breedcowplus to be restored. That is, once summaries have been created in Breedcowplus, they can have the data that created them restored so that the data cells in the Breedcowplus model reflect the values used to develop the summary.
- Summaries and totals for each group treated have been added to the Huscosts worksheet.
- The formatting and calculation process in Dynamaplus is altered so that debt and cash values are shown as negative where funds are owed and as positive values where funds are earned or in surplus.
- The description of sale weights in the AECalc worksheet is changed so they represent the estimated paddock weight of stock at sale.
- The ability to estimate weight loss between the paddock weight shown in AECalc and the sale weight shown in the Prices worksheet has been included. This is implemented in the prices worksheet.
- Version 6.02 creates (by default) a subdirectory BreedcowAndDynama6.02 under the Program Files folder which will store the program files. The subdirectory My Documents\Breedcow Dynama 602 contains the user manual, example and scenario analysis files associated with the programs.
- Version 6.02 files and programs will be installed into their own folders separate to Version 6 and will not overwrite Version 6 program and data files.
Combining Breedcowplus, Dynamaplus and Investan to undertake a scenario analysis
Detailed regional examples of investment analysis have been added to the Breedcow and Dynama Version 6.02. They were created to assist analysts apply the programs in an integrated manner to undertake scenario analysis.
The regional examples:
- Use relevant research and other data to identify industry performance in selected production regions.
- Develop a representative herd and enterprise model at the property level in each region that applies the modelled industry performance.
- Apply an appropriate decision making framework to calculate the potential relative and absolute value of a range of strategies aimed at improving the performance of the beef enterprise.
The process and each analysis is fully described in the downloaded document “Improving the performance of beef enterprises in northern Australia”.
All models and examples developed and applied are downloaded with the Breedcow and Dynama suite of programs. The regions being targeted are:
- The Fitzroy catchment located in the Brigalow lands of central Queensland,
- The Katherine region located in the sub-tropical savannah lands of northern Australia, and
- The northern downs region of central north Queensland, located in the sub-tropical savannah lands of northern Australia
- The northern gulf region of north Queensland, located in the sub-tropical savannah lands of northern Australia.
- The western downs region of southern Queensland.
Regional analyses will be added as they are compiled. Please check the website for the latest version.
Known issues for Windows 7
Microsoft Office Web Component required
Computers running the Windows 7 operating system may have a message pop up that looks like the following image when they go to install the Breedcow and Dynama suite of programs.
Solution
Return to the web page where the download started and follow the links provided to the Microsoft Office download page. From that page you can then install the program OWC11.exe and allow the Breedcow and Dynama suite of programs to run on your computer. The program can also be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Centre at: http://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=22276
Installation blocked by user account settings
Computers running the Windows 7 operating system may also have the installation process blocked by their User Account Control Settings when the program BDInstall.exe is run. This may happen even though you believe you have full administration privileges in Windows 7.
Solution
This blockage can be overcome by either resetting the level of the User Account Control Settings to the lowest level while the Breedcow and Dynama programs are being installed or installing the programs using the ‘Run as Administrator’ command.
Method 1 – reset level of your User Account Control setting
- Go to: Start > Control Panel > Action Centre
- Choose ‘Change User Account Control settings’
- Drag the button down to ‘Never notify’ prior to running the BDInstall.exe program
Changing this setting should then allow you to install Breedcow and Dynama successfully. The image below shows the page that opens in the Action Centre of the Control Panel when the User Account Control Settings is clicked.
Method 2 – Run programs as an Administrator
Windows 7 users also can temporarily suspend the User Account Control Settings when they are running an .exe that is going to install a new program.
In Windows Explorer:
- Locate the .exe file you wish to run
- Right-click on the .exe file
- Click on “Run as Administrator” in the box that pops up (see image below).
The User Account Control Settings are temporarily set to the lowest setting and you should not get the .exe being blocked and the programs should install.
