Livestock software

[Andrew1983]

I have been using the SAC livestock recording program for cattle movements, passport applications etc. I get on ok with it but my laptop is on its last legs. I have an iPad and iPhone. I am grudging buying another laptop as this is all I need it for. I would like to use an app where I can just use my phone while working at cattle and use the iPad in the office. I’m told the sac program is not suitable for this. What does everyone else use/recommend?

 

[Crex]

I'm trialling Breedr this year. Seems okay so far. It's free, so nothing lost to try it. I've been using Shearwell, which I think is the same as the SAC one.

 

[Jim75]

Would agriweb be overkill. Haven’t used it yet but in the process of entering stock and getting started, looks good though

 

[Stuart J]

There is an app version of the sac/shearwell one Andrew, It's called farmworks mobile. £20 per year extra. Can do movements, births etc all on it. Will sync with the laptop version in order to do all the big reports you need.

 

[Chae1]

I have been using the SAC livestock recording program for cattle movements, passport applications etc. I get on ok with it but my laptop is on its last legs. I have an iPad and iPhone. I am grudging buying another laptop as this is all I need it for. I would like to use an app where I can just use my phone while working at cattle and use the iPad in the office. I’m told the sac program is not suitable for this. What does everyone else use/recommend?

The SAC shearwell one needs updated. Hasn't been for years. I think Breedr looks good. Definitely worth a look. Plus its free. The cropping software i use makes GLGM shearwell look terrible. Its all cloud based.

Completely off topic. Sorry. But does anyone know when cattle should be registered through scoteid instead of BCMS?

 

[Stuart J]

The SAC shearwell one needs updated. Hasn't been for years. I think Breedr looks good. Definitely worth a look. Plus its free. The cropping software i use makes GLGM shearwell look terrible. Its all cloud based.

Completely off topic. Sorry. But does anyone know when cattle should be registered through scoteid instead of BCMS?

Not sure, all I know is launch was suspnded during covid.

 

[Chae1]

Not sure, all I know is launch was suspnded during covid.

I thought it was moved to November 20. Never heard anything else.

 

[Half Pipe]

The SAC shearwell one needs updated. Hasn't been for years. I think Breedr looks good. Definitely worth a look. Plus its free. The cropping software i use makes GLGM shearwell look terrible. Its all cloud based.

Completely off topic. Sorry. But does anyone know when cattle should be registered through scoteid instead of BCMS?

Its all gone quiet, even the high frequency tags for Scottish cattle hasn't been mentioned for a while, so I currently don't see it happening this year.

 

[Andrew1983]

The SAC shearwell one needs updated. Hasn't been for years. I think Breedr looks good. Definitely worth a look. Plus its free. The cropping software i use makes GLGM shearwell look terrible. Its all cloud based.

Completely off topic. Sorry. But does anyone know when cattle should be registered through scoteid instead of BCMS?

Only thing that concerns me with Breedr is what’s paying for it? Is it free to get you hooked then a sting will come!? The other thing is at least the one I’m using is supported, if the chap that’s running the Breedr app decides he can’t fund/support it anymore and pulls the pin

 

[Andrew1983]

There is an app version of the sac/shearwell one Andrew, It's called farmworks mobile. £20 per year extra. Can do movements, births etc all on it. Will sync with the laptop version in order to do all the big reports you need.

Will have a look at that thanks Stuart, would ideally not replace my laptop but I’m wondering if I can buy a hardrive thing to link with iPad which could be used to upload the program to.....

 

[Whitepeak]

I'm using Herdwatch, I really like it. It does movements, passport applications, weight/fertility/medicine records, can also input some sheep and field/paddock records but I've not tried them yet.
Just had my renewal invoice and it's £169 for the year (suckler plan 101-150 animals), they did do me 6mths free when I first signed up a few years ago.

 

[Andrew1983]

There is an app version of the sac/shearwell one Andrew, It's called farmworks mobile. £20 per year extra. Can do movements, births etc all on it. Will sync with the laptop version in order to do all the big reports you need.

Struggling to find that app is it android only by any chance?

 

[Chae1]

Its all gone quiet, even the high frequency tags for Scottish cattle hasn't been mentioned for a while, so I currently don't see it happening this year.

A lot of people will be starting spring calving soon and ordering tags. You would think if they were going to roll out high frequency tags they would have done it by now.

We've just ordered ours. Not waiting on them

 

[Extreme Optimist]

Us e Farm Matters here and find it excellent and not expensive. Great back up with help and advice if you need it and Neil is almost always available and can talk you through how to do things if you need it. The software is constantly updated with new features regularly being added. Well worth donloading the free demo and giving it a go and maybe having a chat with Neil. https://www.farm-software.co.uk/

 

[Half Pipe]

@Andrew1983 are you intending on recording alot of info/animals?
I have a phone based app and it's handy for small jobs or looking up info about an animal when out and about.
But do you really want to use your phone when for instance dosing cattle.
All the you tube videos of folk using phones have someone else holding the phone.
If there is a team working on the job, do they all stop if the phone has to take a call!?
Most of the apps rely on cloud storage!
Is internet always guaranteed at both end to alow access to the data any time it's required?
Can any of the companies guarantee in 10 years time after they hold alot of your data they don't cease for any reason!?
I personally think for all the cost of a pc, it be worth alot to have your own copy of data!
I use border softwares FarmIT.
It's pc based, but also has a cloud version you can access from a web browser, so would work on most devices!
They also have windows mobile software, so you can use hand held computer like a Psion, now zebra workabout pro, ours is 10 yr old and doesn't mind getting splashed with whatever, has a keyboard that's easy to use with gloves.
The same software can be installed on PDAs bought of eBay. ( Windows mobile is old technology)
Border software now also have an android app, have it running on my phone, great for quick look at info or recording a treatment of the 1 off sorts.
But the same software on an android tablet is much better for batch weighing, treatments movements etc the larger screen shows alot without having to scroll screen about etc.
A tablet can be cheap or rugged type.
They are cheaper to replace if damaged than an iPhone/ipad
If gets splattered it's not going in pocket later when heading out.
Others can use it if you need to take a call etc

 

[iLivestock]

I have been using the SAC livestock recording program for cattle movements, passport applications etc. I get on ok with it but my laptop is on its last legs. I have an iPad and iPhone. I am grudging buying another laptop as this is all I need it for. I would like to use an app where I can just use my phone while working at cattle and use the iPad in the office. I’m told the sac program is not suitable for this. What does everyone else use/recommend?

I reckon we could help you with that >>> Livestock management in the palm of your hand (ilivestock.co.uk) . Send us a PM. Happy to answer any questions.

Thanks

Ewen

 

[Dave6170]

I ve had a farm data for years, some company down south took it over a few years ago and jacked up the annual subscription!

 

[Half Pipe]

A lot of people will be starting spring calving soon and ordering tags. You would think if they were going to roll out high frequency tags they would have done it by now.

We've just ordered ours. Not waiting on them

Only know off 1 tag company currently offering cattle high frequency tags, wouldn't think the big suppliers would want to miss out on Scottish tags if was happening any time soon.
That and the fact the last run of Scottish grants originaly only available on low frequency readers, doesn't give impression government thinking it be any time soon either

 

[Half Pipe]

I ve had a farm data for years, some company down south took it over a few years ago and jacked up the annual subscription!

Bcms was setup by government but run by IBM!
The major problem is the cost to the government every time it wants access to data!
Data the government paid IBM to collect!
And farmers supplied.
I see cloud based farm records the exact same in years to come!

 

[Gulli]

Only thing that concerns me with Breedr is what’s paying for it? Is it free to get you hooked then a sting will come!? The other thing is at least the one I’m using is supported, if the chap that’s running the Breedr app decides he can’t fund/support it anymore and pulls the pin

Their idea is that they charge a commission on the trading side of it, can't remember how much I've been giving it a try and it seems very good so far