When Can I Get Started?

• General 

Because CHAPS 2000 is a data intensive program, you need to have a good record of your beef cattle inventory. If you have never been involved in a performance and managerial evaluation before, you will first have to identify your cows and calves with an identification system of eartags or freeze-branding, etc. The minimum records you should keep include age of cow, calf sex, birth dates and individual or group weaning weights. You also need sire information. If you have this information in a calving book or some type of record keeping system, you can start as soon as you complete the registration process available elsewhere in this web site. You need to go to downloads on the home site and follow instructions. 

• Costs 
  
  There are three categories of CHAPS users. They are as follows: 

• Single Users
  These are users who purchase a single copy of the program and keep their records on a computer at their home/office. The cost of purchasing a single copy of the program is $50.00. A $20.00 Extended Membership can also be purchased. (click here for more info) The program can be downloaded through this web site. 
  
  Individuals who are unable to download or would like to receive a copy of the program on a CD-ROM can contact the NDBCIA Office, 1041 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601; phone:(701)-483-2348 Ext. 116. The cost for processing and shipping is $10.00. Send your email to order a CD-ROM copy: ndsu.chaps@ndsu.edu 
  
  
• Multiple Users 
  The cost for a multiple site license is $1000 for 50 copies.  The program can be downloaded through this web site. 
  
  Individuals who are unable to download or would like to receive a copy of the program on a CD-ROM can contact the NDBCIA Office, 1041 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601; phone: (701)-483-2348 Ext. 116. The cost for processing and shipping is $10.00. Send your email to order a CD-ROM copy: ndsu.chaps@ndsu.edu. 

• Custom Process Users 
  These are users who fill out the forms and mail them to the NDBCIA office for custom processing. The cost of this service is 50¢ per cow pre-weaning and 50¢ per cow post weaning and a $5.00 annual membership fee. NDBCIA annually processes over 25,000 calf records from over 200 herds with an average turn-around time of one calendar week.
  
  The NDBCIA, in cooperation with the NDSU Extension Service, is equipped with state-of-the-art computer equipment. Coupled with a professional, trained staff, the NDBCIA is committed to serving its members and the livestock industry in the world. The forms to be filled out can be downloaded through this web site. Click here to go to forms.