Best Cattle Record-Keeping Software (2026)

Most cow-calf operations still run on a pocket notebook, a calendar on the barn wall, and memory. That works until it doesn't: a heifer gets bred twice to the wrong bull, a treatment withdrawal date gets missed before sale day, or you can't say which cows weaned your heaviest calves three years running. Herd record software exists to fix exactly those problems. This guide walks through what to look for and the main options in our directory. We have not run controlled tests of these products; what follows is based on each vendor's own published features and pricing, which we link so you can check them yourself.

What a cattle record system actually needs to do

Before comparing brands, write down the three or four records you most wish you had. For most small and mid-size ranches the list looks like this:

• Animal identity: tag number, EID if you use it, dam and sire, birth date, and a way to handle retagging.
• Calving and breeding: exposure dates, pregnancy check results, calving ease, birth weights.
• Health treatments: product, dose, date and withdrawal period. This is the record that protects you at the sale barn.
• Weights and performance: weaning weights and, ideally, simple reports that rank cows by the calves they raise.

Then ask the practical questions. Does the phone app work without cell signal and sync later? Can you enter a record with gloves on, standing at the chute? Can you export your data to a spreadsheet if you leave? A system you actually use beats a powerful one you avoid.

The main options

CattleMax

CattleMax has been selling cattle software since 1999 according to its website. It is built specifically for cattle rather than general farming. Its pricing page lists a Commercial plan at $30 per month and a Purebred plan at $41 per month, both billed yearly, with a free trial. The Purebred tier adds breed association interfaces and seedstock tools, so commercial cow-calf producers likely only need the lower plan.

Farmbrite

Farmbrite is broader: livestock, crops, tasks and farm finances in one place. Its livestock plans start at $29 per month ($290 a year), with $49 and $79 per month tiers. If you also run hay, a garden market or other enterprises, the all-in-one approach may suit you; if you only run cows, a cattle-specific tool may feel simpler.

Breedr

Breedr prices by herd size, which makes it unusually cheap to try: its pricing page lists a trial tier at $2 per month for up to 50 head, $35 per month up to 300 head, $95 up to 1,000 and $235 up to 2,000. It leans on EID tracking, weights and marketing cattle.

Herdwatch

Herdwatch says it has served over 22,000 producers for ten years. It is phone-first, focused on recording animal events and treatments quickly. Check its site for current US pricing.

AgriWebb

AgriWebb combines livestock records with grazing and paddock management, which matters if you rotate pastures and want herd and grass data in one place.

DANA FARMS

DANA FARMS covers livestock and pedigree records along with weather and frost alerts, and includes an AI assistant it calls GAIA that answers questions from your own records. It offers a free live demo.

farmOS (free)

farmOS is free, open-source farm record software. It is flexible, but you either host it yourself or pay a hosting provider, so it suits people comfortable with a little tech setup.

Breed registries and ID hardware

Seedstock producers may already be using DigitalBeef, which several breed associations use for registry data. If you want EID, tag and reader hardware comes from companies like Datamars (Tru-Test, Z Tags) and Allflex. Check that any software you choose can import readings from your reader.

How to choose in an afternoon

1. Pick two candidates that fit your herd size and budget.
2. Start free trials of both on the same weekend.
3. Enter 10 real cows, one calving and one treatment in each, ideally outside at the pens.
4. Run the report you care about most (calving list, withdrawal dates, weaning weights).
5. Try exporting your data. Keep the one you'd actually open next week.

Bottom line

For a straightforward cow-calf herd, a cattle-specific tool such as CattleMax or a herd-size-priced tool such as Breedr is a sensible starting point. If you want the whole farm in one system, look at Farmbrite or AgriWebb. If budget is zero and you're handy, farmOS is a real option. Whatever you pick, the win comes from entering records consistently, not from the brand.

Grazing data alongside herd records

If you rotate pastures, consider a tool that ties animals to paddocks. AgriWebb lists an Essentials plan from $0 with paid tiers priced by animal numbers, and PastureMap lists $10 per month for 50 animals and one member. Either can sit beside, or replace, a cattle-only program depending on how much of your management is about grass.

Getting your old records in

The hardest part of any switch is the first week. Most programs accept a spreadsheet import, so before you start a trial, gather what you have into one file: tag, birth year, dam, sire, and any calving and treatment history you trust. Don't try to import every scrap of history. Three years of clean calving and weaning data is far more useful than twenty years of partial notes. If the vendor offers onboarding help, use it; several of the companies above mention support on their sites.

Costs beyond the subscription

Budget for the extras: EID tags and a reader if you go electronic, a rugged phone case, and possibly a scale head that talks to your software. Those one-time costs often exceed a year of subscription, so add them up before deciding whether to go electronic now or later.

FAQ

Do I need EID tags to use record software?

No. Every option above works with visual tag numbers. EID speeds up data entry at the chute and is useful if you weigh often or sell into programs that require it, but it is an add-on, not a requirement.

Is a spreadsheet good enough?

For a few dozen cows, a well-kept spreadsheet can work. The weaknesses are entry at the pens (phones and spreadsheets don't mix well), withdrawal-date reminders, and calculating cow performance over several years. If you find yourself skipping entries, an app is probably worth the monthly fee.

What happens to my data if I cancel?

Ask before you buy. Look for a clear export to CSV or Excel. Your records are part of your herd's value, especially if you ever sell bred cows or replacement heifers.

Tools in this guide

1. CattleMax

   Cattle record-keeping software for tracking animals, breeding, calving and herd performance.

   Pricing: Commercial $30/mo, Purebred $41/mo (billed yearly), per cattlemax.com/pricing; free trial · Herd & Cattle Records

2. Herdwatch

   Livestock management app for recording animal events, treatments and compliance on the phone.

   Pricing: See site · Herd & Cattle Records

3. Farmbrite

   Farm and ranch management software covering livestock records, crops, tasks and finances.

   Pricing: Livestock plans from $29/mo ($290/yr); $49 and $79/mo tiers; free trial (farmbrite.com/pricing) · Herd & Cattle Records

4. Breedr

   Livestock app focused on weights, performance data and marketing cattle and sheep.

   Pricing: From $2/mo (up to 50 head); $35/mo (300 head); $95/mo (1,000 head); $235/mo (2,000 head) (breedr.co/pricing) · Herd & Cattle Records

5. Performance Beef

   Cattle management platform aimed at feedyards and backgrounders.

   Pricing: See site · Herd & Cattle Records

6. HerdDogg

   Smart ear tags and readers that collect animal ID and activity data.

   Pricing: See site · Herd & Cattle Records

7. AgriWebb

   Livestock and grazing management software for recording herds, paddocks and inventory.

   Pricing: Essentials plan listed from $0; paid tiers priced by animal numbers (agriwebb.com/pricing) · Herd & Cattle Records

8. DANA FARMS

   Farm and ranch software with livestock and pedigree records, frost and weather alerts, and an AI farm assistant (GAIA); offers a free live demo.

   Pricing: See site · Herd & Cattle Records

9. Digital Beef

   Registry and herd management software used by several beef breed associations.

   Pricing: See site · Herd & Cattle Records

10. Datamars Livestock

    Animal ID tags, readers and weighing equipment (including Tru-Test and Z Tags brands).

    Pricing: See site · Herd & Cattle Records

11. CowManager

    Ear sensor system that monitors cattle health, fertility and feeding behavior.

    Pricing: See site · Herd & Cattle Records

12. Allflex Livestock Intelligence

    Animal identification and monitoring tags from MSD Animal Health.

    Pricing: See site · Herd & Cattle Records

13. farmOS

    Free, open-source farm management and record-keeping software you can self-host.

    Pricing: Free (open source) · Herd & Cattle Records

14. Equestria

    Barn management software for horse operations (health tracking, invoicing, scheduling); states it is free.

    Pricing: Free (as stated on site) · Herd & Cattle Records