Step 1: Install the Herdwatch App - From your smartphone/tablet, click on the button below and install Herdwatch (it's free to download)
Step 2: To be able to download your herd profile, you MUST link Herdwatch with Agfood by following the steps in the below video tutorial.
Step 3: To fully eliminate the Blue Book, you MUST set Agfood as your Bovine Electronic Herd Register by following the steps in the below video tutorial.
If you were unable to select Herdwatch on the Agfood website the most likely reason is that you are already connected to another software provider. In this case you first need to end the association with that provider, then go back in the next day to link up with Herdwatch. The video tutorial below will walk you through the necessary steps.
If you cannot see the “Farm Software Link” option on Afgood, your Herd may have been registered on Agfood as a Company with restricted access. If so, you must download and complete this form (DAFM Auth 2) and send it back to the Department. This allows you to create a herd keeper account for your herd which will allow you use the online features from Agfood. A link to the form can be found by clicking on the below link:
Once completed, send the form to:
On-Line Services Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Government Offices, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
If you have any queries in relation to the form, please contact the Dept Online Services support at Lo call Number 1890 252 118 or 0761 064424.
Once this form has been processed by Agfood you will then be issued log in details so the agent can log in and select Herdwatch as the Software Provider – allowing department interaction (Calf registration, movements, herd sync) to now be done through the Herdwatch app.
If you are not currently registered with the Department of Agriculture’s Agfood website, please visit this page or go to agfood.ie and register for their FREE online services.
You will receive your password by text within 1 business day after you have signed up for Herdwatch. This password is used to sign into the app along with your mobile number. Signing in is normally a once off process unless you sign out
Once you have selected Herdwatch on Agfood, we will send you a 6-digit PIN by email within 1 business day. This PIN is NOT your Herdwatch password but is important as you will need it to download your animals into Herdwatch. You will also need it for all other Department interactions such as Calf Registration, Farm-to Farm Movement Certs and to sync your Herd.
Note: for security reasons, the PIN can only be sent to the email address registered on your Agfood profile. If this is incorrect make sure to update it on Agfood.
Yes, but not so fast… if you have any written compliance records (remedies etc…) covering previous years, you must keep those until the regulatory time has elapsed (currently at least 5 years for bovine remedies)
Once you start recording all your cattle remedies in Herdwatch, this is done in a fully compliant manner so you don’t need to re-enter them in the blue book or on any kind of paperwork.
However, in order to be fully compliant with the Department of Agriculture Herd Register and Movements legislation, you must register on the Agfood website for the Bovine Electronic Register. This removes the need to maintain your Herd book if you also use Herdwatch*.
Even though you are set up on Agfood and Herdwatch you will not automatically be registered for Bovine Electronic Register. It’s very easy to register for this, simply follow the Steps below;
1. Log into Agfood.ie
2. Go into Animal Identifications and Movements
3. Click on Herd (Its located on the top of the page)
4. Click on Bovine Electronic Herd Register
5. You will have to enter your email address twice and click the Terms and Conditions box.
This means that the Agfood website will act as your official Herd register should you have a Cross Compliance inspection.
*Note: You should take regular backups of your Herdwatch information by running the relevant Herdwatch reports which you can then archive to a secure location for safe-keeping.
You've done the hard work by signing up, now it's all about making use of the app to save time, so get stuck in, and if you need any help, don't be afraid to get in touch via this page, or call us on 0505-34400 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Note: If you require Herdwatch on a PC or Laptop please contact us and we will send you a link to install it.