31/01/14: Software developer launches app for cattle farmers

Cattle in Achranich, Scotland, UK
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

News courtesy of software manufacturer Novoda

Europe’s largest and fastest growing independent Android software development consultancy Novoda recently announced the launch of Cattle Manager, an application that helps cattle farmers manage inventory and records about their livestock through their mobile devices.

The application is the result of research conducted by a group of students - some of who come from farming families - from Wick High School in Caithness, Scotland, UK. The children observed that while local livestock farmers conducted daily rounds to vaccinate their cattle they were carrying around extensive paperwork associated with each beast.

The app enables farmers to store their information instantly on a mobile device, thereby eliminating the need to maintain and carry around paper records about the status of its livestock

The app has many useful features, including:

 - Livestock parenting history
 - Livestock vaccination history and due dates for further required vaccinations
 - Colour grouping options to help organise related cattle
 - Calendar integration and reminder integration to track crucial upcoming injections
 - Import and export options to allow farmers to edit inventory and dates on a PC before venturing outside on their livestock review

The children behind the app took part in last year’s Apps for Good competition, an initiative launched by the charity Apps for Good to get young people interested in technology. The contest invited students from across the country to come up with an idea for an app and Cattle Manager was one of the winners. It received funding from corporate sponsor Dell and was created with the help of Novoda.

Commenting on the development of the app, Kevin McDonagh, Novoda’s CEO, said: “The children found a practical solution to a problem which they had experienced. They all work on local farms and observed the struggle of maintaining paperwork between where the files are kept and the sheds where the animals reside. Novoda used Android technology to seamlessly transfer vital cattle data to a mobile device, enabling farmers to prepare and conduct their daily rounds without the need for multiple trips. Best of all, the farmers we have worked with have confirmed that the app is easy to use, even for those who profess difficulties with technology.”

The app is available for free at Google Play here.