Are you tired of drowning in paperwork and struggling to keep your livestock data organised? Look no further! We introduce to you the iLivestock Dashboard: the web based platform for efficient livestock management. With just a push of a button, you can generate comprehensive compliance and performance reports from the comfort of your home. Based on the information you capture using our app in the field.

The iLivestock Dashboard puts you in control, allowing you to make informed decisions with confidence:

• Monitor health, growth, and productivity metrics—all in one place.
• Make informed decisions that impact your farm’s bottom line.
• Analyse your flock and herd performance using a desktop
• Download reports for detailed analysis and to share with others.

Livestock management on your desktop

1. Customisable reports: Tailor reports to your specific needs. Whether it’s herd health, feed efficiency, or breeding performance, the dashboard delivers.
2. Custom filters: Configure filters based on your preferences. View animals by specific criteria such as age, health status, or breeding history.
3. Individual animal profiles: Dive deeper into specific animals. Get an overview of data, including identifiers, health records, and more.
4. Weight performance insights: Visualise growth over time. The weight graph provides valuable insights into individual animal performance.
5. Access anytime, anywhere: Your animal data is at your fingertips, whether you’re in the field or sipping tea in the farmhouse.

Tailor-made dashboard features

iLivestock’s dashboard is tailor-made for you. Let’s dive into the essential features:

Breeding performance

• Enhance your breeding program.
• Evaluate tupping performance.
• Review scanning results.
• Dive into offspring statistics.
• Gain an insightful overview of overall breeding performance.

Flock book

Keep meticulous records of your sheep population.

• Track on and off movements seamlessly.
• Manage identification and birth details.
• Record unfortunate losses (deaths).
• Easily handle tag replacements.
• Get a comprehensive overview with the “All Sheep Report.”

Herd book

For our cattle farmers, the Herd Book is your go-to.

• Monitor movements in and out of your herd.
• Efficiently manage herd movements.
• Capture vital birth information.
• Document any losses (deaths).
• Quickly handle tag replacements.

Medicine book

• Safeguard your livestock’s health.
• Log medicine administration for both cattle and sheep.
• Track disposal routes for safe handling.
• Stay informed about your medicine stock.

Weights

• Optimise growth and performance.
• Monitor lifetime weight gain.
• Calculate daily weight changes.
• Analyse data in group-based or timeline-based views.
• Identify top-performing animals effortlessly.

With iLivestock, you’ll have all your critical data at your fingertips. Say goodbye to paperwork headaches and hello to efficient farm management!

Get in touch

For inquiries and a personalised demo, contact our team at [email protected] or call +44 1383 324 358
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Meet Stefan and Yolandi Erasmus, the owners of Beskuitfontein Farm, a third generation family farm that lies at the foot of Carlton Heights mountain on the border between the Northern and Eastern Cape Provinces in South Africa.

They commercially farm Merino sheep and Bonsmara cattle in a desert-type climate. By using iLivestock, Yolandi and Stefan can identify the animals that are most resilient and profitable for their farm, and improve their breeding and management practices.

Livestock management

Stefan and Yolandi use animal records to enhance their genetic selection, improve their livestock’s performance, and meet the new requirements for biosecurity and traceability in wool production. Their approach to sheep production is to make every lamb on the farm count, while maintaining biodiversity and improving rangeland conditions.

Farm highlights

📍 Beskuitfontein, Middelburg, 5900, South Africa
🚜 Sheep and cattle farmers on a 7739-hectare farm in the Karoo
🐑 2000-2500 Merino sheep
🐂 100-140 Bonsmara cattle

iLivestock features used on the farm:

• Breeding records
• Weighing
• Medicine recording
• Performance
• Compliance
• Inventory check

Read how iLivestock has transformed their farming business 👨‍🌾📱

This week we will be attending a farm event organised by Monitor Farm Scotland. The event will provide opportunities for livestock farmers to explore the latest technology and farm management software for data-driven decision-making and easier cross compliance.

The event will feature a range of speakers who have a wealth of experience of using different technology and software packages, including Matt Blyth, an experienced innovator in the sheep and beef industry specialising in data recording and software. His consultancy company Blyth Livestock Advisory Services (BLAS) helps livestock businesses achieve their goals using EID and software data.

Ross Robertson, Head of Agri-Tech (Mixed) at the Agri-EPI Centre, will share his experience of implementing practical livestock technology on commercial farms. He will also discuss the innovations being trialled on the Agri-EPI farm network and the development of precision technology that will improve the sustainability, welfare, and productivity of livestock systems.

The Monitor Farm Scotland Programme is a joint initiative by Quality Meat Scotland, AHDB, and the Scottish Government that started in 2003. It aims to help farms achieve sustainable production in terms of economy, society, and environment.

Duncan Family Farms, one of our customers, is part of this program as the Stirlingshire Monitor Farm. The Duncan family operates a mixed farm with over 2,000 sheep and nearly 200 calving cows. They are in the process of switching to iLivestock as their new livestock management system for their farms. Our platform enables them to record breeding stock information, record scanning results electronically, and ultimately, choose the best performing animals.

iLivestock CEO Wardman:

“We are excited to attend this event and meet local sheep and cattle farmers who are interested in our technology. We will be presenting our eWeigh and iLivestock Software, two farm tech innovations that can boost a farm’s productivity and profitability.”

Where and when

📆 Tuesday 23 January
🕙 10am-4pm
📍 United Auctions, Stirling, FK9 4RN

Sign up

Make sure you confirm your booking online: https://bit.ly/3ttAV8r or visit https://www.monitorfarms.co.uk/events/

As 2023 comes to an end, we at iLivestock would like to take a moment to reflect on our journey and achievements in the past year. It has been a busy and exciting year for us, as we have launched new features, expanded our reach, and partnered with various organisations to improve the businesses of livestock farmers around the world.

New features and integrations

One of our main goals is to make iLivestock the most comprehensive and user-friendly app for livestock management. To achieve this, we have introduced several new features and integrations in 2023, such as:

• Fresh Farmer Scheme: This is a special programme for smallholders and new entrants to the livestock sector, offering them discounted rates, free training, and access to our online community. We want to support the next generation of farmers and help them grow their businesses with iLivestock.
• New Breeding Screens: We have added new screens for sheep and cattle farmers to help them monitor and improve their breeding performance. These screens allow farmers to view and record key information such as lambing percentage, calving interval, and genetic traits.
• New EID reader and weigh heads equipment integrations: We have integrated iLivestock with more electronic identification (EID) reader devices and weigh heads. This means that farmers can use iLivestock with a wider range of devices to capture and analyse data from their animals.
• Inventory checker: This is a new feature that allows farmers to check the inventory of their animals in iLivestock by managing them in groups. This feature helps farmers to keep track of their stock levels, identify missing or stolen animals, and reduce errors and discrepancies.
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Global expansion and partnerships

Another goal of ours is to make iLivestock available and accessible to farmers across the globe. In 2023, we have made significant progress in this regard, such as:

• Exploring farming practices in Argentina: We have embarked on an exciting project to explore the farming practices and challenges of livestock farmers in Argentina, one of the largest beef and sheep producers in the world. We have visited several farms and met with local farmers, researchers, and government officials to learn more about their needs and how iLivestock can help them.
• Partnering with Edinburgh University: We have established a partnership with the University of Edinburgh, one of the leading institutions for animal science and veterinary medicine in the UK. We provide training and education opportunities for students and staff, to improve data-driven farm animal practices.
• Joining the celebration of UK Lamb: We have joined forces with the National Sheep Association (NSA) and other organisations to celebrate the quality and diversity of UK lamb. We have participated in various events and campaigns to promote the consumption and appreciation of lamb, such as the Love Lamb Week, and the NSA Sheep Event.

Customer success stories

Of course, none of our achievements would be possible without our loyal and satisfied customers, who are the driving force behind iLivestock. We are always delighted to hear from our customers and share their success stories, such as:

• Hayden Woolley: Hayden breeds large scale shedding sheep with iLivestock. He has been featured in Farmers Weekly, where he talked about his passion for EasyCare sheep genetics and how iLivestock helps him manage his flock of over 2,000 ewes.
• Zoe Norton: Zoe is an English sheep farmer who breeds pedigree North Country Cheviots with iLivestock. She has been using iLivestock since 2019 and has seen significant improvements in her flock performance and record keeping.
• Steve Penberthy: Steve is a sheep farmer from Cornwall who was one of the early adopters of iLivestock. He has been using iLivestock since 2017 and has praised its ease of use, reliability, and customer service. He has also recommended iLivestock to many of his fellow farmers.
• Damian Barson: Damian is a sheep farmer from England who switched from dog training to sheep farming with iLivestock. He has been using iLivestock since 2020 and has grown his flock from 30 to 300 ewes. He has also improved his lambing rates, reduced his mortality rates, and increased his profits with iLivestock.
• George Sturla: George farms sheep and cattle in North-Wales with iLivestock. He is a first-generation farmer, and has been using iLivestock since 2021 and has found it invaluable for managing his herd of 150 beef cattle.

Looking ahead

As we look forward to 2024, we have many plans and aspirations for iLivestock. We want to continue to improve our app, expand our market, and partner with more organisations. We also want to engage more with our customers and the wider farming community, and attend more events and shows. Some of the events that we are planning to attend in 2024 are:

• NSA Scotsheep, 5 June
• Royal Highland Show, 20-23 June
• NSA Sheep, 30 July
• Borderway Agri Expo, 1 November
• AgriScot, 20 November
• Welsh Winter Fair, 25-26 November

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at any time. We would love to hear from you.

Happy New Year from the iLivestock team! 🎉

We are excited to announce a new feature update for iLivestock users!

Our android and iOS apps now support Tru-Test XRS2i or SRS2i EID readers, allowing you to record and access animal data on the go. This integration enables you to scan RFID tags and ear tags with your Tru-Test device, sync animal information with your iLivestock app, edit and update animal records on your Tru-Test device and transfer them to the iLivestock app, and use the Tru-Test device to sort and draft animals based on your criteria.

To use this feature, you need to have the latest version of the iLivestock app and a compatible Tru-Test device. We are thrilled to offer this new hardware integration, making livestock farming as simple and affordable as possible for everyone.

Hardware support

Have any questions about connecting your Tru-Test devices? These articles in our academy hub might be useful:

• Here is a guide on how to set up your Tru-Test XRS2i or SRS2i EID reader.
• Here is a guide on how to pair your Tru-Test XRS2i or SRS2i EID reader with your iLivestock app.

Want to give it a try?

Farmers who want to try out this new feature can contact the iLivestock team for more information.

Our colleague Anne Wellenberg just returned from a UK trade mission to Argentina, where she was evaluating the potential of use of the iLivestock platform in the local market. This includes our weigh head eWeigh and farm software. The trip was enriching and gave us great insights into the potential opportunities for our company in this vast Latin American country that inhabits over 50 million cattle.

Anne, our Head of Product, was part of a delegation of three UK-based agritech start-ups - including Pastoral and N2 Applied - who were invited by Agri-EPI Centre to participate in a knowledge exchange visit. The trip was organised in collaboration with Movimiento CREA and AgriTIERRA, two leading organisations in the Argentine agricultural sector, joined by the UK Department for Business and Trade, and funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Argentine smart farm innovation

The aim of the visit was to create a global collaborative agrotechnological ecosystem between the United Kingdom and Argentina. To support the development of smart farm innovation, and bridge the gap between people creating innovative agricultural technologies and those who benefit from them. By facilitating market access and knowledge transfer between the UK and Latin American agritech sectors, it is expected to accelerate the entry and growth of products and services that can improve productivity, sustainability, and animal welfare in both regions.

During the two-week trip, Anne had the opportunity to meet with a variety of stakeholders, including farmers, cooperatives, distributors, researchers, government officials and industry experts. She visited different regions and production systems, from the prestigious CENAB (Animal Nutrition Research Center) in the Cordoba province, to meeting with YieldLab LATAM (Venture Capital) in Buenos Aires, to visiting the Rosario Board of Trade in Rosario.

Anne Wellenberg about the trip:

“It was an incredible experience to see the diversity and potential of Argentine agriculture, and to learn about the challenges and opportunities that farmers are facing. I was impressed by the enthusiasm and openness of the people I met, and organisation of the trip. I am very grateful to Movimiento CREA, AgriTIERRA and Agri-EPI Centre for making this possible. I am confident that iLivestock has a lot to offer to the Argentine market, and I look forward to continuing the conversations and collaborations that we started during this trip.”

International livestock management ambassador

Meeting Lara Giuliani, a.k.a. Agroinfluencer @agrolarus, was one of the many highlights of our trip. Not only is she a role model for good livestock management practices, she also shares the same principles as iLivestock. She uses weight, individual traceability and animal welfare as key indicators to improve her breeding performance. She achieved outstanding breeding results, way above the Argentine average, in a relatively short period. She is a true ambassador and generously shares her vision and knowledge with local farmers, fostering a culture of knowledge exchange. We were inspired by her passion and professionalism.

>> Photo: Lara Giuliana (l) and Anne Wellenberg in Argentina (r)

Agritech opportunities for iLivestock

In a brief video, Anne talks about her experience of visiting Argentina and exploring the agritech opportunities for iLivestock. The interview was conducted by Mark Jarman, CEO and Founder of AgriTIERRA, one of the organisations that facilitated the trade mission.

We are very proud of Anne and her achievements, and we are excited about the prospects of expanding our presence and impact in Argentina. We believe that iLivestock can make a positive difference for farmers who are at the start of the journey to capture important data about their herd and/or flock. Not only in the UK, but also in other countries and regions around the world.

Partners

For more information about agritech opportunities in Argentina, please contact our team:

Join us this year at AgriScot 2023, one of the premier events in UK agriculture, attracting thousands of visitors from all sectors of the industry. AgriScot offers a wide range of products, services, advice and information for farmers and agri-business professionals, as well as competitions, seminars and demonstrations. AgriScot 2023 will take place on Wednesday 22 November 2023 at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh.

We invite all sheep and cattle farmers to visit us at stand 146 and see how they can improve their farm productivity, and how we can help them manage their livestock with our software and hardware, using features such as performance recording, traceability, and weight management. Admission and parking are free.

Another reason to visit iLivestock at AgriScot 2023 is to see our award-winning eWeigh system, which boasts the features of advanced weigh indicators at an entry level price. The eWeigh system allows farmers to weigh and record their livestock with ease, using a Bluetooth-enabled device that connects to smartphones or tablets. The eWeigh system received high commendation at the AgriScot Product Innovation Award in 2022, demonstrating its value and potential for the sheep and cattle industry.

Special guest

We will also have a special guest on our stand, who will be joining us for a live demo and a Q&A session. The identity of the guest is a secret for now, but we promise that it will be a great opportunity for farmers to learn from an expert and get some valuable insights.

Register today

To register for AgriScot 2023, please visit this link. See you soon at AgriScot 2023!

Exclusive discount on iLivestock Software for ambitious farmers with low flock or herd numbers

Do you have a small flock of sheep or a few cows that you want to manage with a little less headache? Do you want to use the best livestock software in the market, but find it too costly for your budget? Do you want to have livestock management in your pocket?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are in luck! We bring to you: the iLivestock Fresh Farmer Scheme. This is a unique opportunity for farmers like you to access the iLivestock platform at a fraction of the normal price.

How it works

The normal price for the iLivestock Software is £300 for a year. With our scheme, if your application is approved, you can access the iLivestock platform for only £75 in your first year. The following two years more discounts apply, saving you a total of £450

Discount table:
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The iLivestock Fresh Farmer Scheme is designed for farmers who have less than 50 breeding ewes or less than 20 cows. If you have more than that, you may still be eligible for the scheme, but it is at our discretion. The scheme comes with free training and support, so that you can become familiar with it in no time!

Why iLivestock?

The iLivestock platform is a powerful app that lets you record, manage, and analyse your livestock data in the palm of your hand. You can use it to improve the health, welfare, and productivity of your animals, as well as to save time and money on your farm.

Meet Sarah, a new farmer from Breage, Cornwall UK. She is just starting out as a commercial farmer and directly benefits from the Fresh Farmer Scheme:

“Farming is a tough business nowadays. Without money, it’s almost impossible to start your own farm. The Fresh Farmer Scheme is a great opportunity for people who can’t afford the full price of the iLivestock platform.”

Join the Fresh Farmer Scheme today

Don't miss this chance to get the best software for the best value and take your livestock management to the next level. To find out more or to sign up for the Fresh Farmer Scheme, visit the Fresh Farmer Scheme page on our website or contact us today by email on [email protected] or give us a call at 01383 324 358.

iLivestock is set to embark on a knowledge exchange visit to Argentina next month, as we are selected by Agri-EPI Centre, a leading agri-tech innovation hub, to join a market visit funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The knowledge exchange visit, which will take place from 6th to 17th November 2023, aims to explore the opportunities and challenges for UK agri-tech companies in the Argentine market. Argentina is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of beef, dairy, grains, and wine, and has a strong demand for technologies that can improve productivity, sustainability, and animal welfare.

iLivestock already has its software and hardware on test farms in Argentina, but this will be the first time that the company’s representatives will visit the country and meet with potential customers and partners.

Anne Wellenberg, Head of Product at iLivestock, said:

“We are very excited to be part of this trip and to learn more about the Argentine agricultural sector. We believe that our solutions can help farmers improve their efficiency, profitability, and animal health. We are looking forward to showcasing our products and getting feedback from the local experts and farmers.”

The trip will include facilitated visits to farms, research centres, and industry associations, as well as workshops and networking events with key stakeholders from the public and private sectors. The visit is organised in collaboration with AgriTIERRA, a local agri-tech consultancy firm, Movimiento CREA, a farmer-led organisation that promotes innovation and best practices, and the Department for Business and Trade.

Partners

Agri-EPI Centre, which supports the development and adoption of agri-tech solutions in the UK and abroad, said that the trip is a valuable opportunity for tech-ready SMEs like iLivestock to gain insight and knowledge into the opportunities for UK agri-tech in the Argentine market.

The Knowledge Exchange visit is funded and supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

For more information about agritech opportunities in Argentina, please contact our team:

iLivestock is proud to support Love Lamb Week, the annual campaign that showcases the sustainability and quality of UK lamb.

Love Lamb Week, which runs from 1 to 7 September 2023, is a collaborative initiative by AHDB, the statutory levy board for agriculture and horticulture, and other industry bodies and organisations. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits of eating lamb, especially among younger consumers, and to highlight the hard work and dedication of sheep farmers across the country.

As part of the campaign, iLivestock is featuring some of its users who offer high-quality lamb from their native breeds. These include:

• Jayne Carter of @ryecroft_rare_breeds in Wigan, England. Jayne runs a family farm where she breeds pedigree registered Coloured Ryeland sheep and produces high-welfare, outdoor reared, grass fed lamb, hogget, mutton and pork.
• Julie Comins of @elchies_animals in Moray, Scotland. Julie and her husband Brian run a farm with 300 British Boer goats and 100 Ryeland and Ryeland cross sheep. They sell their goat and lamb meat in their on-site farm shop and online.
• George Sturla and Hollie Blockley of @beeches_farming in North Wales. George started his solo part-time farming venture in 2016 with seven sheep. Now he and Holly have more than 150 breeding ewes, suckler cows and store cattle. They deliver lamb and beef boxes to local households.

Flock performance

Elchies Estates Farm, Beeches Farm, and Ryecroft Farm are some of the businesses that offer grass-fed, free-range, and high-welfare lamb from their family farms using iLivestock to manage their flocks, improve their performance, and sell their meat directly to customers. Technology can help sheep farmers enhance their businesses and reach new markets.

iLivestock CEO and co-founder Ewen Wardman said:

“We are delighted to join the celebration of UK lamb and to support our users who produce this delicious and nutritious meat with the use of iLivestock to monitor and record their animal data. We hope that this campaign will inspire more consumers to enjoy British produced lamb.”

To find out more about Love Lamb Week, visit the official website or follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.