There are various tools used by breeding programs in the seeding and harvest seasons. Creating randomizations, field plans for yield trials and disease nurseries, along with seeding and harvest labels for samples are all annual events associated with Breeding programs. The following tools are based on the tools used by the wheat breeding programs at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre (SCRDC).

Experimental Design Tool

This tool creates randomizations for Random Complete Block (RCB), Lattice and Split Plot experimental designs.

Preparation

Prepare an input file, which is just a list of entries (with entrycodes), followed by a list of the locations. Note: if you have multiple lines with the same name (i.e. checks), please ensure the entrycode is different for each one (e.g. Check1 Strongfield, Check2 Strongfield).

Save the file as "{test name}.inp"

Input file example

Or, alternatively, you can use a J-file or an .xlsx file.

RCB Excel input layout (what the program expects)
For the worksheet you select, the parser reads only columns A–C and ignores fully blank rows. It expects two sections in order: entries first, then locations.

1) Entry rows (top of sheet)
Put all entries first:

Column A: entry code

Column B: entry/line name

Column C: optional/unused for entries (can be blank)

Each entry is combined as "A B" (or just A if B is blank).

2) Location rows (after entries)
After entries, location rows begin when a row looks like a location row:

Column A: location name (trimmed to 20 chars)

Column B: number of reps (must be digits)

Column C: location abbreviation (optional, trimmed to 3 chars)

Rows from that point onward are treated as locations. So location rows should come after all entries, not mixed in.

Important rules / gotchas
No tabs in any cell content (A/B/C). If tabs exist, the UI warns and stops.

Location reps must be a positive integer (e.g., 1, 2, 3...). Non-numeric reps will fail validation later.

Abbreviation is optional for RCB.

The tool only considers sheets with at least one non-empty cell, and if multiple sheets have data, user is prompted for sheet name.

Random Complete Block (RCB) Randomization

Random complete blocks experimental design randomizes PLOTS within REPS.

1) From the RCB Experimental Design screen, click on one of either Read Input File (.inp/.xlsx) or Read J-File to load the lines and locations. You should see the information about the test appear in the text boxes.
2) Fill in the No. of reps for each location in the REP text boxes beside each location, along with the Abbreviations for each location (e.g. SC for Swift Current).

RCB experimental design screen
3) Press Randomize to create the files. They will appear in the same folder as your input file or j-file. The following files are generated (note the "xx" will be the last two digits of the year):

    1.    ***{test name}.Jxx*** (same as .inp file, but with test metadata added)
    2.     ***{test name}.Rxx*** (randomization file, with rep and plot numbers added)
    3.     ***{test name}.xlsx*** (excel file of the randomization)

There will be one master file of all locations included, along with one file for each location individually.

Lattice Randomization

Lattice experimental designs randomize PLOTS within BLOCKS within REPS.

1) From Lattice Experimental Design screen, click on one of either Read Input File (.inp/.xlsx) or Read J-File to load lines and locations. You should see the information appear in the text boxes.
2) Fill in any missing text boxes, and Location Abbreviations.
3) Press Create Randomization Files to create the files. They will appear in the same folder as the input or J-file that was read in. The following files are generated (note the "xx" will be the last two digits of the year.

    1. ***{test name}.Jxx***  (same as the .inp file, but with test metadata added)
    2.     ***{test name}.Rxx*** (randomization file, with rep and plot numbers added)
    3.     ***{test name}.xlsx*** (excel file of the randomization)
 There will be one master file of all locations included, along with one file for each location individually.

Field Plans

CIERA can assist users in creating field maps from card files (.Cxx), created by the Experimental Design Tool. There are various field plans that can be created.

4-Row Field Plans

Create a map for a 4 row field plan, using the card file (.Cxx) created by the Experimental Design Tool.

Create a New Layout

Steps

1) Enter the number of ranges and passes for the fields in the text boxes. The default is 12 ranges and 24 passes.
2) Choose whether you want a Cartesian (left to right) or Serpintine map.
3) Check Print plot and code to plan to include the Entrycode to the map. Leave unchecked to just include the plot number.
4) Check Map square over number of ranges to ensure the map is square on the field. However, this feature does not work if the number of lines in the test do not make a perfect square.
5) Click Create a new Layout to see the empty layout in the grid below.

4-Row Field Maps - new layout

6) To map a border of fill in the map, enter the name of the fill in Enter text for border (i.e. "WW" for Winter Wheat).
7) Enter the number of ranges you would like the border to cover.
8) Select the cell in the grid below of where you would like to start mapping the border. Each pass is represented by 3 rows in the grid, so select a cell in the row that has "<-" or "->" in column A, and click Map Border (W.W.)

4-Row Field Maps - map border
9) To map the card file (.Cxx), created by the Experiment Design Tool to your layout, click Browse and find the file.
10) The number of plots will automatically populate in the "# of plots" text box, as well as the "Enter first plot #" and "Enter last plot #" text boxes.
11) In the Number of Ranges text box, the default is 12 ranges, but you can change this.
12) Select the cell of the plot you wish to start mapping to in the grid. Again, look for the cell where there is a "<-" or "->" in column A.
13) Click Map file input

4-Row Field Maps - map card file to grid
13) You can map multiple card files to the map by re-doing steps 9-13.
14) When you are done making changes, click on Save As (.fxx, xlsx) to create your map file and excel map.

Options

1) Load Existing .f file - click to find an existing map file and load it into the grid
2) Clear Map - remove all information from the current grid
3) Clear Selection - remove all information from selected cells in the grid
4) Undo Last Map - revert to grid prior to clicking Map file input

5' Single Row Field Plans

Create a map for a 5' single-row field plan.

CIERA Tools 5' Single Row Field Plans

Create a New Layout

Steps

1) Enter the number of ranges, passes and Winter Wheat (WW) ranges for the fields in the text boxes. The default is 12 ranges and 24 passes.
2) Click on Create a new Layout to create a map on the grid below.
3) Click on Select Check File and select a Check Input File, which is a file with the following format: Check name (1-14 characters), Column 21 is a "category" which allows the UI to put the checks together in order in the listbox, Column 28-46 are the labels of the categories.

4) Enter the # of ranges per tray, and First Plot # for mapping purposes
5) Click Browse to find an Input File, which is a text file (.txt) with a sequential listing of Line Names. A total # of plots will populate from the file below the path text box. Verify that it matches the Input File number of lines.
6) Make sure Insert Checks is checked if you wish to include checks in the mapping.
8) Click Insert WW to insert the winter wheat
9) Click Insert Spreader to insert spreader rows
10) Click Insert Plot Numbers to insert plot numbers for each plot in the grid.
11) When that is done, you can click Map file input to map the input file to the grid.
12) To create a Card File (.cxx) of the map, click Create Card File
13) To create an Excel File (.xlsx) of the map, click Create Excel File

Options

1) Copy to copy a cell's contents
2) Cut to cut the cell's contents
3) Paste to paste the copied or cut contents of one cell to another cell
4) Undo undo the last action
5) Clear Selection clear a cell's contents

10' Single Rows Field Plans

Create a map for a 10' single-row field plan.

CIERA Tools 10' Single Row Field Plans

Create a New Layout

Steps

4) Click on one of the options for mapping from an input file under the "select information from file to map", depending on which information you are requiring in your field map.
5) Enter a value for # of ranges. Set # of ranges = 0 to fill map range by range. If # of ranges >0 then test will be mapped in a block over the specified number of ranges.
6) Enter a value for # of WWs in block to specify the number of winter wheats in the block to be mapped.
7) Click Browse to find an Input File, which is a text file (.txt) with a sequential listing of Line Names, or a card file (.cxx), which is created by one of the Experimental Design programs. A total # of plots will populate from the file below the path text box. Verify that it matches the Input File number of lines.
8) Make sure Insert Checks is checked if you wish to include checks in the mapping.
9) Click Insert WW to insert the winter wheat
10) Click Insert Spreader to insert spreader rows
11) Click Insert Plot Numbers to insert plot numbers for each plot in the grid.
12) When that is done, you can click Map file input to map the input file to the grid.
13) To map from screen input, you need to fill in values for First plot # and Last plot #, as well as Number of ranges and # of WWs in block.
14) The contents of a cell can be modified by double clicking on it.
15) To create a Card File (.cxx) of the map, click Create Card File
16) To create an Excel File (.xlsx) of the map, click Create Excel File

Options

Field 17 Map

Creates field plans for Field 17 (Increase plots)

CIERA Tools - Field 17 mapping tool

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to select a text Card file (.Cxx), generated by the Experimental Design Tool, or a text file with a sequential listing of codes and line names. 2) Each entry is assigned an increase number as it is mapped.
2) Click Insert Checks to insert check name boxes on the map.
3) Checks and Cartesian tests must be mapped before serpentine increases, which will wrap around anything already mapped.
4) As each test is mapped, the user is prompted to choose a color for map formatting.

Disease Nursery Mapping Tool

CIERA will create custom FHB/Rust Nursery card files (.Cxx) and maps (.Fxx) (.docx) for the growing season.

Steps for Hex/CWAD FHB (no map)

1) Create an input file (.txt), which is just a list of the lines in the nursery (no header).
2) Create a check file (.txt), which is just a list of the checks to be used in the nursery (no header).
3) Select an input file by clicking on the BROWSE button under "Select an input file (.txt)"

Disease Nursery Mapping Tool - select input file
4) Click on the Hex radio button.
5) Click on BROWSE under the Load check entries from text file and choose your check file you created in step 1. The list of checks from the file should show up in the text box. You can edit this, as needed.

Disease Nursery Mapping Tool - select check file
6) Enter the Starting plot number.
7) When each section is complete, the Create Files button should be enabled. Click on it and provide output file names to create your FHB nursery files.

Steps for CWAD FHB

1) Create an input file (.txt), which is just a list of the lines in the nursery (no header).
2) Create a set of check files (.txt), which are just a list of the checks to be used in the nursery (no header):

A check file for odd slide numbers
A check file for even slide numbers
A check file for every 4th slide
3)Click on CWAD FHB radio button
4)Select an input file by clicking on the BROWSE button under Select an input file (.txt)
5) Select the check files, created in step 2, by clicking on the BROWSE button under each Load check entries from file...(.txt) button. The checks will show up in the Enter data: text box, and can be edited.

Disease Nursery Mapping Tool - select check file
6) Enter a Field Marker check in the text box. "AC Cadillac" is the default.
7) When each section is complete, the Create Files button should be enabled. Click on it and provide output file names to create your FHB nursery files.

FHB Nursery notes

Hexaploid nurseries are mapped with 100 plot/slide, with alternating spreader/checks in column 1 of the map. CWAD nurseries are mapped with 120 plots/slide with no spreaders.
Hexaploid checks are inserted every 200 plots starting at plot #101. With the CWRS set, Carberry replaces the 4th check every other set starting at plot #501. CWAD checks are inserted every 480 plots starting with plot #1, unless CWAD (no map is the selected set of checks.

Steps for Rust Nursery

A check file for odd slide numbers
A check file for even slide numbers
3)Click on Rust Nursery radio button
4)Select an input file by clicking on the BROWSE button under Select an input file (.txt)
5) Select the check files, created in step 2, by clicking on the BROWSE button under each Load check entries from file...(.txt) button. The checks will show up in the Enter data: text box, and can be edited.

Disease Nursery Mapping Tool - Rust Nursery
6) When each section is complete, the Create Files button should be enabled. Click on it and provide output file names to create your Rust Nursery files.

Sprouting Tool

This tool is used for entering heads sprouting data.

Sprouting Tool - main form

Steps

1) Click Open to select input file and then select the worksheet with the data (if applicable). Data from input file will appear in the grid in the lower portion of the screen. File input can be Excel (.xlsx) or text card file (.Cxx)
a) Text Card File input format:
code 1-6
line 7-23
rep 28
plot 4 characters from the right
b) Excel file input format:
A1 = test name
code = Column A
line name = Column B
rep = Column C
plot from last used column (D for RCB or E for lattice

Sprouting Tool - open an input file

2) Select Time 1 or Time 2 sprouting heads
3) Click on the numbered buttons to designate the number of Head Sprouted (HS), then type the plot number in Plot text box (or use the barcode scanner for plot # input). Press Enter to have the HS value will added the grid next to the corresponding plot number.
4) Repeat step 3 for the Sprouting Rank ("L" = low, "M" = medium, "H" = high) and enter the plot number.
5) The grid will calculate a total for each HS category (0-10). The grid tracks the total number of plots in the input file, and the number of plots that have data entered.
6) Press Ctrl_N or click No Data (Ctrl+N) to list the plot numbers with missing values.
7) When data is complete, click Save to output the data from the grid into an Excel file.

Sprouting Tool - add data

8) Press Clear at any time to reset the form and begin a new file.

Winter Nursery

The following tools are to help prepare files of selections for the winter nursery.

Winter Nursery Numbers

This tool is used to create the codes for the selections to be send to the winter nursery.

CIERA Tools - Winter Nursery Numbers

Steps

1) Enter first and last plot #
2) Enter a letter that represents the winter nursery location (i.e. C=Christchurch, L=Leeston)
3) Enter up to 5 checks to be inserted into the file
4) Click Preview to see the resulting codes
5) Click Save As to save the output to a file.

Winter Nursery Card File to Excel

Envelopes

2 - Across Envelopes

Various programs for creating seeding/harvest/nursery envelopes. The envelopes generated are 83mm X 136mm with a 25mm gap separating the two.

Advanced Test Envelopes

Creates envelopes for the Advanced Tests in the breeding program.

CIERA Tools - 2-Across Advanced Envelopes

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to choose a randomization file (.r), which is output from the Experimental Design program.
2) Fill in the information in the Fill input fields section.
3) If there are any special nursery envelopes to be created, you can add them by clicking Add under the Special Nursery List section. Add the information about the nursery in the prompts that appear (Nursery Name, Seed Rate, #of envelopes per variety). Use Edit to make changes and Remove to delete a nursery.
5) Click Create Envelopes to create the envelope file. A Save As dialog box will appear to allow you to choose a location to save the .env file.
6) Output Format: Plot #; Rep #; Test Name and Year; Location: Seed Amount; Code and Line Name; date. A barcode containing the line name will be printed at the top of the envelope.

Spring/Winter Nursery Envelopes

Create 2-across envelopes for the Spring and Winter Nursery

CIERA_Tools 2-Across Spring/Winter Nursery Envelopes

Steps

1) Create an input file (.txt or .xlsx). The text file should only have entrycodes and the line names, with no title line or test name. An Excel file should only have entrycodes in column A and line name in column B. If you use an Excel file, a listbox will pop up for you to choose which worksheet has this information.
2) The Nursery List has all the different types of nurseries that require envelopes. Choose which one meets your needs or add a new one with Add Nursery. When you add a new nursery, enter the nursery name and the amount of seeds per envelope in the message boxes that pop up.
3) Enter the number of envelopes required in the # of Envelopes text box and press Enter to add it to the nursery list.
4) Click Create Envelopes to create the .env file and save it to the desired pathway.
5) Output Format: code number will be in upper right hand corner of envelope; line name; nursery name; seed amount; date. A barbcode containing the line name will be printed at the top of the envelope.

Check and Winter Wheat Envelopes

Create 2-Across envelopes for Check and Winter Wheat using screen input.

CIERA Tools 2-Across Check and Winter Wheat Envelopes

Steps

1) Click on Save As and choose an output path and name for your .env file.
2) Enter values in the textboxes for the Name, Source, # of Seeds per envelopes and # of envelopes (which is rounded up to the next even number).
3) Click Add to Output or press Enter to add envelopes to the output file
4) A total number of entries and total number of envelopes is listed on the right.
5) Ouptut Format: Genotype (check name); seed source; seed amount; date. A barcode containing genotype name will be printed at the top of the envelope.

Sequential Envelopes (Excel)

Create 2-Across envelopes in sequential order from Excel file

CIERA Tools 2- Across Sequential Envelopes (Excel Input)

Steps

1) Create an input Excel file in this format: Test name in cell A1; location in last used column of row 1; Code is in Column A, Line name in Column B. Optional rep/plot in column C/D or plot only in column C
2) Click Select Input File and choose the worksheet that has the information for the envelopes in the Worksheets list box.
3) Click Print Barcodes if you wish to include barcodes on the envelopes.
4) Enter the number of envelopes required for each entry (default is 1).
5) Enter information in to Add Package amount to envelopes if that is required
6) Click Create Envelopes and save the .env file to the path you want.
7) Output Format (same as for Advanced Tests): Plot in upper right corner; Rep; Test Name; Location; Code and Line Name; Date

Sequential Envelopes (text)

Create Sequential Envelopes from a .txt file input

CIERA Tools Sequential Envelopes (Text Input)

Steps

1) You can use any plain text file (.cxx, .txt, etc). The format should be Code and Line Name in positions 1-24. If present, rep is read as the first value after the line name; plot is the last value in the line of input. If there is a title line, the test name should be in columns 1-22. Location or other descriptor starts in position 61 to maximum of 22 characters.
2) If the first line of your file is a title line, make sure you checkFirst line is a title line (Test + Location
3) Enter a value for the # of Envelopes (default is 1)
4) Click Create Envelopes and save the .env file to a folder.
5) Output Format: Test Name; Code and Line Name; Location; Rep; Plot; Date. If no title line then Test Name and Location output lines will be blank. If there is not Rep or Plot, then rep/plot line will be blank.

NIR Envelopes

Creates 2-Across envelopes for various NIR tests

CIERA Tools 2-Across NIR Envelopes

Steps

1) Create a text file (.txt) with the Code and Line Name on each row. Title line is optional.
2) Click on Select Input File which will be read sequentially (max 28 characters)
3) If the first line of the text file is a title line, check the First line is a title line (Test Name) note that the default is to be checked.
4) If using a Quadient printer, check the box Create Quadient Excel output. This will create an excel sheet for printer input, rather than an .env file.
5) Select the type of test the envelopes are for. The type will be indicated on the envelope and in the output filenames.
6) Enter the Year in the Year text box
7) Enter the location of seed/seed source in the Grown Location text box
8) Click Create Envelopes and choose where you want to save the file.
9) Output Format: Identifier (including year) is placed in the upper right-hand corner of the envelope; Test Name (blank, if no title line); Location; Code and Line Name (28 characters); Analysis Type; Date

Pathology Envelopes

Create 2-Across envelopes for Pathology Tests

CIERA Tools 2-Across Pathology Envelopes

Steps

1) Create an input Excel (.xlsx) file with the format of Test Name in cell A1, Location in cell B1. C1 is additional information (up to 27 characters). Column A: code; Column B: line name; Column C/D: Rep/Plot (optional; columns C and D may be blank)
2) Click Select Input File and choose the Input File to make envelopes from. Choose which worksheet to use in the Worksheets list box.
3) Click on Print Barcode if a barcode is required on the envelopes. It will be based on the name in Excel Column B and will appear in the top left of the envelope.
4) Enter the number of envelopes requried for each entry in the # of envelopes per line of entry (default is 1).
5) Click Create Envelopes and choose where to save the .env file.

Crossing Envelopes

Create envelopes for breeder crossing blocks

CIERA Tools - 2-Across Crossing Envelopes

Steps

1) Create an Excel (.xlsx) input file in this format: Title is in Cell A1. Starting in row 2: cross name in Column A; Parent 1 in Column B; Parent 2 in Column C. Column A may be blank if cross numbers have not yet been assigned. Column C may be blank to create envelopes for harvested parents (Column B). Additional information may be present in Columns D and beyond, such as Greenhouse or Growth Room #, harvest date, etc.
2) Click on Select Input File to open input .xlsx file.
3) Select which worksheet in the Excel file that the information resides in.
4) Click on Create Envelopes and choose where to save the .env file.
5) Output Format: Title; Cross Name; Parent1; Parent2; Date. Empty fields in Columns A or C of input file result in blank lines being printed on the envelopes. Any additional information (past Column C) will be printed as for the date.

4 - Across Envelopes

4-Across Advanced Tests Envelopes

Create 4-Across carrier mounted envelopes for Advanced Tests

CIERA Tools 4-Across Envelopes Advanced Tests

Steps

1) Input file is a Randomization file (.rxx), which is created from the Experimental Design programs.
2) Click on Select Input File and choose the .rxx file to create envelopes for
3) Enter the # of reps, # of locations, # Varieties, # Packs per plot, and # of Special Nurseries (default is 0), in the text fields under Fill Input Fields
4) If there are Special Nurseries, click Add to enter them to the Special Nursery List. Enter the Nursery Name, Seed Rate and # of Envelopes (per variety)
5) Use Remove to remove any nurseries and Edit to change the information for them.
6) When ready, click on Create Envelopes and choose where to save the .env file to.
7) Output Format: Rep/Plot; Code; Line name (max 20 characters); Title; Location; Amount to be packaged; Date.

4-Across Unformatted Envelopes

Create unformatted ennvelopes from an Excel File.

CIERA Tools 4-Across Unformatted Envelopes

Steps

1) Create an Excel Input File (.xlsx), where each column of values is printed as a new line on the envelope (to a maximum of 30 characters). No title lines are printed to the envelopes, so row 1 will be treated as an entry.
2) Click on Select Input File and choose your excel input file.
3) From the Worksheets listbox, choose the worksheet which contains the entries for the envelopes
4) Click on Make Envelopes and choose where to save the .env file to
5) A single envelope will be created for each line of information in the Excel file. The output format is: Column A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H,I, J, K, L; Date. If there are 7 columns or less, all characters are bold (tall) font except for the date. With more columns, the lower rows will be in smaller font in order to fit on the envelope.
6)

4-Across Screen Input Envelopes

Create 4-Across envelopes from the inputs on the screen

CIERA Tools 4-Across Screen Input Envelopes

Steps

1) Enter the required information on the screen: Sample Name, Seed Source, # of Envelopes.
2) Click Add to Output to add the number of envelopes with the information to the file. Check the totals on the right side of the screen.
3) When complete, click Create Envelopes and choose where to save the .env file.
4) Output Format: Name and Source (max 20 characters each) will appear on each envelope, as well as the Current Date.

4-Across DH Envelopes

Create 4-Across Envelopes for Doubled Haploid Program

CIERA Tools 4-Across DH Envelopes

Steps

1) Input files can be either Excel (.xlsx) or Text (.txt). For text files, the first line is the title. After that, each subsequent line is split into 2 separate lines on the envelope (to a maximum of 3 lines). For Excel files, the first cell (A1) is the title, then the line information in the Column A and Column B are printed as separate lines on the envelope.
2) Click on Select Input File to choose your .txt or .xlsx file.
3) If Excel was used as the input file, select the worksheet that the information is on in the Worksheets list box.
4) Click on Create Envelopes and choose where to save the .env file
5) Output is 2 envelopes are generated for each line of input, with the user input for additional information (max 20 characters) to distinguish between envelopes (Reserve, Archive, etc.). Output Format: Title; Line Name (maximum of 3 rows of output on envelope); Date, Info (1)/Info (2).

4-Across File Input Envelopes

Create 4-Across carrier mounted envelopes based on Input Fille

CIERA Tools - 4-Across File Input Envelopes

Steps

1) Create an input file, in either Text or Excel (.txt or .xlsx). They must have sequential codes, lines, and rep/block/plot (optional) and the file must have a title. One the first line can be used for the title. Everything up to the first non-leading space is the code #; if there are plot numbers, the line name is everything after the code# up to the first double-space, and rep/block/plot numbers are everything after the line name. Title is the first 20 characters from the first line of input; location is 20 characters from the position 61 of the first line. For Excel input files, the presence of rep/block/plot numbers is determined by the number of input columns (Code in Column A, Line Name in Column B, Plot in Column C, rep/plot in Column C/D, rep/block/plot in Column C/D/E). Title is in Cell A1 + B1 and location is Cell D1.
2) Click Select Input Excel (.xlsx) or Text (.txt) File and select the input file created in step 1
3) Click Create Envelopes and choose where to save the output file. If the Input File is a text file, you are asked if there are plot #s or not.
4) Output Format; rep/block/plot (if applicable); code; line name (max 20 characters); title; and location.

Pedigree

Pedigree Books

Reads the pedigree book text file, generates summaries of active and inactive crosses, and uses the Cross Activity Excel file to add new activity and parentage/purpose information into an updated pedigree book output.

CIERA Tools - Pedigree (Pedigree Books Update)

Input

Pedigree Book format must follow these rules:
1) One space before the cross name
2) parentage starts in column 17
3) PUR = Purpose of Cross
4) SEC = Secondary Information
5) activity lines use year in columns 1-4, month in columns 9-11, generation in columns 17-19, and the description starts in column 24.
6) END mus be in columns 2-4
7) inactive crosses use DEND in columns 1-4

Steps

1) Go to Pedigree Books and open the pedigree book text file. The program will read up to 1500 crosses and 200 lines of information per cross.
2) Generate the summaries. The program generates summarizes of active and inactive crosses
3) Load the Activity input workbook created by Cross Activity. The expected input format is: A = Cross, B = Year, C= Month, D= Generation, E = Number of rows or lines, F= Trial, G= Locations
4) Click Update. The program adds the new activity to the pedigree book and saves the result as update.txt
5) Durum the update, the program also adds: column H= Parentage, column I= Purpose of Cross to the Excel summary.
6) Review update.txt carefully. Once it is confirmed to be correct, it can be renamed and used as the updated pedigree book file. The help file gives EG-HRS-PED.txt as an example name.

Cross Activity

The Cross Activity option is used to scan either an Exp-Design job file or a winter nursery card file, summarize the results in a grid, and export the summary Excel for later user in the pedigree book update workflow.

CIERA Tools - Pedigree (Cross Activity)

####Steps
1) Open Cross Activity tab
2) Choose the correct input type. The program can read either: a lattice or RCB job file created by the Exp-Design program or a winter nursery (WN) card file.
3) Know the Pedigree ID column before reading the file. Before importing the file, you must know which column contains the pedigree ID values such as B0, C0, or A0. 8 for WN source trials, 4 or 5 for advanced tests
4) Use the appropriate read command for the file type: ReadJ-file for standard job files, Special Test Read J-File for special tests that do not fir the normal cross numbering system, Read WN file for winter nursery card files. The special-test capability was specifically added so the program could handle tests outside the normal numbering pattern.
5) If you are reading a WN file, the program applies these rules. If the first line is longer than 60 characters, it is treated as a title and skipped, the length of accession is used to count lines/family Examples: A1001-AA = 0, A0904-AB01 = 2, A0803-DM04A = 1. DHs are counted as 0 unless they appear in WN as a mixed line
6) After the file is read, the program summarizes the information in the grid as lines/population, rows/family for winter nursery data
7) Click Save as Excel to create the Cross Activity Excel summary. The exported file is used later to update the pedigree books
8) Verify the generated Excel values. The Excel format is: Column A= Cross, Column B= Year, Column C= Month (3 characters), Column D= Generation (up to 6 characters), Column E= Numbers of row or lines, Column F= Trial, Column G= Locations. The generation/DH value in Column D is calculated by the program and must be verified by the user.
9) The Excel file created here is the activity input file for the Pedigree Books update process. When that file is read in later, if Column G contains data, then Columns E, F, and G are read. If Column G is blank, then only Column E is read.

Add New Crosses

The Add New Crosses option is used to create formatted new-cross entries for the pedigree book. It can work from either manual entry or an Excel input file

CIERA Tools - Pedigree (Add New Crosses)

Steps

1) Open the Add New Crosses tab
2) Choose how to enter the data. You can either type the cross information directly into the grid, or load an Excel file
3) If you use Excel, the file must be set up as: Column A= Cross #, Column B= Parentage,Column C= Purpose
4) Confirm that each row has cross. Make sure every row you want processed has a value in the Cross # column. Blank values are allowed in other fields, but not for the cross number itself
5) Click Add Details to apply Year, Month, Generation and Activity information to each listed cross. This only works for rows that contain a value in the Cross # column. Any values already in those detail fields will be overwritten
6) Review and edit the displayed values and make any needed changes manually. Blank values are accepted for all fields except Cross #
7) Click Update when the displayed values are correct. The program will create a text file, normally with the default name NewCross.txt, containing the information formatted for the pedigree book. You should review this file, then copy and paste the contents into the pedigree book file.
8) If the input came from an Excel spreadsheet, the same workbook is updated with the displayed values and formatted like the Cross Activity Excel output. If no Excel input file was used, the program will ask you to name a new output file.