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Adding Cattle - CSV Upload
Adding Cattle - CSV Upload

To add all your cattle data in bulk, using the .CSV template and upload feature is a quick and easy way to get started.

Gabbi Duval avatar
Written by Gabbi Duval
Updated over 2 months ago

CSV Template Import via your Phone or Tablet

This is for bulk uploading new animals and is the quickest and most effective way of getting all your animal information into the app in one go.

You'll need Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet programme) or similar on your computer or handheld device, in order to download the relevant iLivestock animal templates, add in the animal information and then save the file for upload.

How to import animals via CSV file:

You can download our import template files from the links below, just click the relevant link and the template will automatically download to your Downloads folder on your computer/device👇

(Note!: You CAN NOT update existing animal details via a Cattle .CSV Import, you can only add NEW animals.

Add metrics, flags, groups and holdings to existing animals only.

Step 1. Open the template you need and follow the instructions on the spreadsheet on how to add your data to the template.

(Note!: The Image above is the Cattle Import Template

It's very important NOT to delete or re-organise the columns or change the headers. If you don't have information for a specific column or line, just leave it blank)

Step 2. Be sure to delete the notes and the example data, so this doesn't get uploaded by mistake

Step 3. You may find columns that contain EID numbers default to unrecognisable formats if the column is set to 'General' in excel.

Highlight the column line under the header and select 'Number' in the format drop down on excel to see the correct EID formatting - as shown above

Step 4. You now will find there have been 2 decimals added to the EIDs - highlight the EIDs and decrease decimals with 2 clicks on the 'Decrease Decimal' icon in the excel tool bar as shown above.

Step 5. Your completed data template should now look similar to above.

Step 6. When you have added all the data correctly, save the completed template file as a '.CSV' under the file format option. File > Save as > File format = .CSV

Step 7. If you are using an iOS Apple (iPhone/iPad) device to run your iLivestock app, you can upload the template using your device.

Next, email the completed template .CSV template file to yourself, this must be an email you can also open on your device that has the iLivestock app on it.

**(Note!: If you are using an Android (Samsung etc) please email your completed template to [email protected] and we'll be in touch to import these **

Step 8. Open the iLivestock app and navigate to the animals screen

Step 9. Open your email and find and open the completed template .CSV

and tap the share button (the share button is usually a square with an upward pointing arrow in it)

Step 10. You now be taken to a list of sharing options - if you don't see the iLivestock app option straight away, tap the ... MORE option (as shown in screen shot 10 above)

Step 11. Scroll to find iLivestock and tap when found

Step 12. Your file will automatically start to import and show a confirmation when. the import is complete - please stay on the page until, you see this and then press OK.

Step 13. All CSV uploads are stored under AUTO in your Groups view - so you can always go back and see the exact group you imported.

Step 14. Your uploaded animals will be available to view in a list view under ALL and also under the specific species tab - cattle which can be found on the upper navigation menu, when on Animals on the lower navigation menu.


How to put your animals on the right holding as a group:

All .CSV imports, will always create an Auto Group, so you'll never lose track of what and when you added animals this way.

Auto groups can be found by going to Groups on the lower navigation menu and Auto on the upper menu options.

When your animals have been allocated to a group, its easy to update the group animal details using the 'Settings on ALL group animals' feature.

This action can be done on any group, Auto groups, Sheep groups, Cattle groups or even your Permanent groups if required.

Step 1: Find and open the group and then tap the Action button to open the Group Action menu

Step 2: Select Settings on all group animals

Step 3: Now select Set group ON Holding to allocate the group to the relevant holding.

Note!: If you want to record a Move On, it's best to set them on the Third Party holding that you purchased them from. If just adding animals that are already on farm, simply select the relevant Your Holding

Step 4: If adding directly to your own holding, select the relevant holding under My Holdings

Step 5: Your animals will now be allocated to the holding you have selected. You can open each animal and verify the location by checking the holding details at the bottom of each animal summary.

Step 4: If adding to a third party holding, select the relevant holding under Third Party

Step 5: Your animals will now be allocated to the holding you have selected. Note as this is a Third Party, your animals will be greyed out (meaning they are OFF farm)You can open each animal and verify the location by checking the holding details at the bottom of each animal summary.

To update the rest of your animal details, repeat the steps 1 & 2 and then choose from the relevant Group Settings to add the - Breed, Gender, DOB, Management Tag and so on from the list of options below:

  • Group Metrics

  • Breed

  • Management Tag

  • DOB

  • Gender

  • Castrated

  • Country of Origin

  • Holding

  • Identification Date (use this as Date on Farm)

  • Weaning Date

  • Process Alert

  • Flag Colour


Online: Use the chat icon in Admin on the app or bottom right on the web dashboard

Call: 01383 324358

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