Herdwatch (/other cloud based software)? Looking for something to managed suckler herd..

farmerfrankie

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Wiltshire
Does anyone have any experience of the Herdwatch app? I am trialling it after years of using FarmPlan. We want something cloud based with highly customisable reporting functionality plus usage across unlimited devices. Having a tinker with Herdwatch at the moment, but it doesn't work on my parents' Windows phones which is a bit of a bugbear.
 

Cowabunga

Member
Location
Ceredigion,Wales
You may have settled things now but if not and for the benefit of others, Farm Wizard is a front runner. Owned by Grosvenor Estates, it is 100% cloud based and has apps for use with Android and Apple tablets and phones for offline recording and reference, synchronising later when in range of wi-fi.
It runs on the chrome browser, so anything that will run Chrome will run Wizard

http://www.farmwizard.co.uk/beef-manager

.
I use their dairy program and have no experience with the beef management one.
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
You may have settled things now but if not and for the benefit of others, Farm Wizard is a front runner. Owned by Grosvenor Estates, it is 100% cloud based and has apps for use with Android and Apple tablets and phones for offline recording and reference, synchronising later when in range of wi-fi.
It runs on the chrome browser, so anything that will run Chrome will run Wizard

http://www.farmwizard.co.uk/beef-manager

.
I use their dairy program and have no experience with the beef management one.

Nothing on their website on cost that I can see... :-( Just a registration page or a link that takes you to Orchid Data, who also have no pricing available....

I used to use Agridata software for my cattle management but after 2009/10 when we downsized the livestock to nothing, I let it go. Admittedly, I had kept the bare bone system records minus their updates on my PC for several years until a computer fire last year wiped the install... This was a VERY low cost database:cool:

I would dearly love a simple ultra low cost cattle database again for a few sucklers and few store cattle, but am not willing to pay several hundred£/annum as some software requires...
 

Herdwatch

Member
Nothing on their website on cost that I can see... :-( Just a registration page or a link that takes you to Orchid Data, who also have no pricing available....

I used to use Agridata software for my cattle management but after 2009/10 when we downsized the livestock to nothing, I let it go. Admittedly, I had kept the bare bone system records minus their updates on my PC for several years until a computer fire last year wiped the install... This was a VERY low cost database:cool:

I would dearly love a simple ultra low cost cattle database again for a few sucklers and few store cattle, but am not willing to pay several hundred£/annum as some software requires...

Hi @steveR From what you have described, Herdwatch is for you, its simple app that allows you to record Herd records on the go and it even works without internet :) If you want to know more you can visit our website and request a call back here
=> http://herdwatch.co.uk/

P.S. Herdwatch only costs £130 per year. ;)
 

Herdwatch

Member
Hi @steveR we actually have a free demo herd in the app, if you want to get a feel for it first before starting your trial. It has 90 animal profiles, you can create records for those animals and get to grips with the look and feel of Herdwatch. Its another option for you anyway :)


Download Herdwatch app for free and tap "Try the Herdwatch DEMO"
 

milkloss

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
Thought I’d raise this one from the dead!

Still running cattle manager from farmplan albeit without updates for a couple of years. Thinking I need something fresh, really disliked the cattle manager software and the farmplan staff were pretty dry when you had to deal with them, bugs I found in the software we’re never sorted. I left it when I rang to ask if I could trial the updated software they said I couldn’t because I was already running the old version without paying for updates.

So, what’s out there now? Like the look of herdwatch esp barcode scanning meds with the phone and just using the phone on farm in general/ having records at the ready anywhere. Did try farm matters a while ago but wasn’t ready to change as we have a huge history on the old farmplan software. Going to have to try something now.

Using it for sucklers btw, thanks All.
 

farmerfrankie

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Wiltshire
Thought I’d raise this one from the dead!

Still running cattle manager from farmplan albeit without updates for a couple of years. Thinking I need something fresh, really disliked the cattle manager software and the farmplan staff were pretty dry when you had to deal with them, bugs I found in the software we’re never sorted. I left it when I rang to ask if I could trial the updated software they said I couldn’t because I was already running the old version without paying for updates.

So, what’s out there now? Like the look of herdwatch esp barcode scanning meds with the phone and just using the phone on farm in general/ having records at the ready anywhere. Did try farm matters a while ago but wasn’t ready to change as we have a huge history on the old farmplan software. Going to have to try something now.

Using it for sucklers btw, thanks All.


Wish I knew, but sorry to say I still haven't found a suitable alternative. Stopped paying for Farmplan as their updates and "support" (which I have never used) aren't worth the annual licence fee - I can't believe my folks paid for it for so long when we basically got zero meaningful updates; don't think they realised we could use it without paying for the unnecessary support. After all, a monkey could use it. Admittedly a very patient monkey, considering how rubbish it can be. When I stopped paying, they started talking about an app they have in development (the lack of mobile functionality and ability to customise reports are my major bugbears); I stayed on for a few more months, but the app didn't materialise.

Tried FarmFlo briefly as they seemed to be on track to have something for both cattle and agronomy, not sure if they have made much headway. Herdwatch was okay, but the UI on the computer was a bit rubbish and it didn't have any integration with other apps (FarmFlo, for example, seems to link to Xero). Perhaps things have improved since then - I must look - but at the time it wasn't good enough to make the switching hassle worth it.

Think I'm looking for the white whale here, but would love some software that I can use on PC and mobile, has really customisable reporting (to the same extent that something like Salesforce does), integrates with other apps (Xero, Smaxtec ideally!) and doesn't cost the earth! EID integration would be good too.

I have 20+ years of historical data on Farmplan (and nowhere seems to be able to offer a data transfer service) so I'm going to keep plodding along with Farmplan (and its angry messages about the fact the activation key has expired) until something worth changing for comes along.

Would love to know if anyone has any other recommendations!
 

Davylad

Member
Hi .. I too would like any information on a simple crop software like “ cropexcel “ as advertised here in the past . Is it still available.?The last post I read was from @mikeparsons84 . Thanks for any replies.
 

mikeparsons84

New Member
Hi everyone! CropExcel is still running and available if you’d like a copy. The best email to get me on is mikeparsons84 at gmail dot com. Or PM me on here.

I was thinking of also creating an iPad app in the future if anyone would be interested?
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
Tried FarmFlo briefly as they seemed to be on track to have something for both cattle and agronomy, not sure if they have made much headway. Herdwatch was okay, but the UI on the computer was a bit rubbish and it didn't have any integration with other apps (FarmFlo, for example, seems to link to Xero). Perhaps things have improved since then - I must look - but at the time it wasn't good enough to make the switching hassle worth it.

Think I'm looking for the white whale here, but would love some software that I can use on PC and mobile, has really customisable reporting (to the same extent that something like Salesforce does), integrates with other apps (Xero, Smaxtec ideally!) and doesn't cost the earth! EID integration would be good too.


Would love to know if anyone has any other recommendations!

Be interested too... ;)

I looked at Herdwatch* and a couple of others, but for me, they fell at the hurdle (at that time) of not being usable on a Desktop and/or Laptop and Mobile, as I am buggered if I am trying to faff around keeping records on a pokey 5" screen!! So the proper synching of data between the various options of hardware would be vital... I guess Cloud based software will do this, but I am still old fashioned enough to like my data held here on a hard drive too, for when the steam-powered broadband barfs... again.

I have wondered about using a Chromebook that from experience, will run a lot of Android apps successfully, however, for the software that requires use of a mobile phone (number) as part of the integration of the app, then it buggers that idea :rolleyes:

*Pretty sure Herdwatch will synch across multiple devices though...
 
Last edited:

Extreme Optimist

Member
Livestock Farmer
Wish I knew, but sorry to say I still haven't found a suitable alternative. Stopped paying for Farmplan as their updates and "support" (which I have never used) aren't worth the annual licence fee - I can't believe my folks paid for it for so long when we basically got zero meaningful updates; don't think they realised we could use it without paying for the unnecessary support. After all, a monkey could use it. Admittedly a very patient monkey, considering how rubbish it can be. When I stopped paying, they started talking about an app they have in development (the lack of mobile functionality and ability to customise reports are my major bugbears); I stayed on for a few more months, but the app didn't materialise.

Tried FarmFlo briefly as they seemed to be on track to have something for both cattle and agronomy, not sure if they have made much headway. Herdwatch was okay, but the UI on the computer was a bit rubbish and it didn't have any integration with other apps (FarmFlo, for example, seems to link to Xero). Perhaps things have improved since then - I must look - but at the time it wasn't good enough to make the switching hassle worth it.

Think I'm looking for the white whale here, but would love some software that I can use on PC and mobile, has really customisable reporting (to the same extent that something like Salesforce does), integrates with other apps (Xero, Smaxtec ideally!) and doesn't cost the earth! EID integration would be good too.

I have 20+ years of historical data on Farmplan (and nowhere seems to be able to offer a data transfer service) so I'm going to keep plodding along with Farmplan (and its angry messages about the fact the activation key has expired) until something worth changing for comes along.

Would love to know if anyone has any other recommendations!
Have a look at Farm Matters. Excellent software and Neil seems to work 24 hours a day and is always available to answer the most stupid questions from me. It's very user friendly. @Farm Matters Ltd
 

Herdwatch

Member
@milkloss @farmerfrankie @steveR
Wish I knew, but sorry to say I still haven't found a suitable alternative. Stopped paying for Farmplan as their updates and "support" (which I have never used) aren't worth the annual licence fee - I can't believe my folks paid for it for so long when we basically got zero meaningful updates; don't think they realised we could use it without paying for the unnecessary support. After all, a monkey could use it. Admittedly a very patient monkey, considering how rubbish it can be. When I stopped paying, they started talking about an app they have in development (the lack of mobile functionality and ability to customise reports are my major bugbears); I stayed on for a few more months, but the app didn't materialise.

Tried FarmFlo briefly as they seemed to be on track to have something for both cattle and agronomy, not sure if they have made much headway. Herdwatch was okay, but the UI on the computer was a bit rubbish and it didn't have any integration with other apps (FarmFlo, for example, seems to link to Xero). Perhaps things have improved since then - I must look - but at the time it wasn't good enough to make the switching hassle worth it.

Think I'm looking for the white whale here, but would love some software that I can use on PC and mobile, has really customisable reporting (to the same extent that something like Salesforce does), integrates with other apps (Xero, Smaxtec ideally!) and doesn't cost the earth! EID integration would be good too.

I have 20+ years of historical data on Farmplan (and nowhere seems to be able to offer a data transfer service) so I'm going to keep plodding along with Farmplan (and its angry messages about the fact the activation key has expired) until something worth changing for comes along.

Would love to know if anyone has any other recommendations!

Hi,

Hope your well.

You'd be very glad to hear we've released a newer updated version of the app since you were with us last. The latest version has an abundance of new features and definitely a much smoother user experience across all interfaces.
Herdwatch is fully compatible with any laptop,PC or smartphone. It can work off duplicate devices and on as many devices as you wish. Likewise, Herdwatch can work fully offline so you don't need an internet connection to perform tasks within Herdwatch.

We understand that you have built up quite the library of data over the years. Would it be possible that you could transfer this data on to an excel sheet or CSV file?
If this was possible perhaps we would be able to integrate your existing data into our software.

If you would like more information or have any further questions I'll leave the link to request a call back here >> https://www.herdwatch.co.uk/

Hope this was helpful.
 

Herdwatch

Member
Be interested too... ;)

I looked at Herdwatch* and a couple of others, but for me, they fell at the hurdle (at that time) of not being usable on a Desktop and/or Laptop and Mobile, as I am buggered if I am trying to faff around keeping records on a pokey 5" screen!! So the proper synching of data between the various options of hardware would be vital... I guess Cloud based software will do this, but I am still old fashioned enough to like my data held here on a hard drive too, for when the steam-powered broadband barfs... again.

I have wondered about using a Chromebook that from experience, will run a lot of Android apps successfully, however, for the software that requires use of a mobile phone (number) as part of the integration of the app, then it buggers that idea :rolleyes:

*Pretty sure Herdwatch will synch across multiple devices though...

Hi @steveR ,

You'd be very glad to hear that Herdwatch is fully compatible with any laptop,PC or smartphone.
It can work off duplicate devices and on as many devices as you wish.

If you would like more information or have any further questions I'll leave the link to request a call back here >> https://www.herdwatch.co.uk/
 

Herdwatch

Member
Thought I’d raise this one from the dead!

Still running cattle manager from farmplan albeit without updates for a couple of years. Thinking I need something fresh, really disliked the cattle manager software and the farmplan staff were pretty dry when you had to deal with them, bugs I found in the software we’re never sorted. I left it when I rang to ask if I could trial the updated software they said I couldn’t because I was already running the old version without paying for updates.

So, what’s out there now? Like the look of herdwatch esp barcode scanning meds with the phone and just using the phone on farm in general/ having records at the ready anywhere. Did try farm matters a while ago but wasn’t ready to change as we have a huge history on the old farmplan software. Going to have to try something now.

Using it for sucklers btw, thanks All.
Hi @milkloss

I think we could have what your looking for. Herdwatch is your one stop shop for all your farm compliance and management needs.
Herdwatch is fully compatible with any laptop,PC or smartphone. It can work off duplicate devices and on as many devices as you wish. Likewise, Herdwatch can work fully offline so you don't need an internet connection to perform tasks within Herdwatch.
As you mentioned you have the ability to record medicines using the smart bar code scanner within the app. Similarly you can register Movements-On by simply scanning the animal's passport.
Herdwatch is fully integrated with BCMS or CTS for easy herd download. Likewise, it is fully compliant with Red Tractor standards.

If you would like more information or have any further questions I'll leave the link to request a call back here >> https://www.herdwatch.co.uk/

Hope this was helpful.
 

farmerfrankie

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Wiltshire
Be interested too... ;)

I looked at Herdwatch* and a couple of others, but for me, they fell at the hurdle (at that time) of not being usable on a Desktop and/or Laptop and Mobile, as I am buggered if I am trying to faff around keeping records on a pokey 5" screen!! So the proper synching of data between the various options of hardware would be vital... I guess Cloud based software will do this, but I am still old fashioned enough to like my data held here on a hard drive too, for when the steam-powered broadband barfs... again.

I have wondered about using a Chromebook that from experience, will run a lot of Android apps successfully, however, for the software that requires use of a mobile phone (number) as part of the integration of the app, then it buggers that idea :rolleyes:

*Pretty sure Herdwatch will synch across multiple devices though...


We have 4G broadband, which has been tr
@milkloss @farmerfrankie @steveR


Hi,

Hope your well.

You'd be very glad to hear we've released a newer updated version of the app since you were with us last. The latest version has an abundance of new features and definitely a much smoother user experience across all interfaces.
Herdwatch is fully compatible with any laptop,PC or smartphone. It can work off duplicate devices and on as many devices as you wish. Likewise, Herdwatch can work fully offline so you don't need an internet connection to perform tasks within Herdwatch.

We understand that you have built up quite the library of data over the years. Would it be possible that you could transfer this data on to an excel sheet or CSV file?
If this was possible perhaps we would be able to integrate your existing data into our software.

If you would like more information or have any further questions I'll leave the link to request a call back here >> https://www.herdwatch.co.uk/

Hope this was helpful.

Thank you.

Yes, should be able to get a fairly meaningful CSV out of it.

I did like Herdwatch but it wasn't quite there for me at the time. The medicine and ear tag scanning sounds really cool!

Has the UI of the PC version been updated at all? As I recall it wasn't as user friendly as I'd like (in that it was very similar to the app interface, and I have to think of my parents, who don't use smartphones and are used to "Windows-style" programmes). Keen to have another go at some point though!

How's the reporting? Would I be able to set multiple criteria / use Boolean to find specific animals? E.G. If I wanted to find animals who are in Herd A, have missed a year calving and have received antibiotic treatment in the last 12 months. A needlessly complicated example, but I have fond memories of being able to manipulate Salesforce in that way (in another life, pre-returning home to farm!!)
 

milkloss

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
Good question @farmerfrankie

Also wondering if it’s possible to create batches and then use those batches to create a report by excluding and including certain batches already saved? The ability to have any report sorted by any parameter such as last calving, predicted calving etc?
 

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