Adding Inventory to CattleMax

Adding your inventory is one of the first steps to getting started with CattleMax. Whether you're entering a few animals or importing an entire herd, CattleMax offers several ways to add inventory quickly and efficiently.

Choose the option below that best fits your operation.

Individually adding an Animal

Click on the Cattle tab from the left side of the screen, then click on Add New > Add New Animal.

💡CattleMax Team Tip: If you’re adding more than one animal, you can use our Bulk Add Feature or Spreadsheet Import (more info found below).

Your selected primary ID field (such as Ear Tag), along with the animal's Status and Type, are the only required fields when creating a new animal record. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*). While only a few fields are required, we recommend entering as much information as possible when adding an animal. Doing so will help ensure your records are complete and reduce the need for updates later.

Once you get to the New Animal screen, data can be entered in each of the tabs - General, Financial, Calfhood, Management Code, or Custom Fields. You can also click on Switch To Advanced View to see all of those categories on one screen.

Identification- the Ear Tag information is a required field to add an animal to your account. Please note that ear tags can be duplicated, so make sure you have entered the tag correctly. You can also use this area for PH (personal herd) number, your brand, tattoos, registration numbers, electronic ID, NLIS number, NAIT number, DNA barcode, OCV number/tattoo, or other ID, if you have selected one of those as your primary form of ID (Account Settings/Cattle/Display Animals By).
Status- The status of an animal and animal type are required fields to enter your new animal. Status is to reflect if the animal is Active (in your herd), Reference (only used for reference data), Sold, or Dead. The type would be Cow, Bull, or Calf. If Calf is chosen, you can then select the sex of heifer, bull, or steer. The category is a field you can create to group animals with other animals, such as replacement heifers or herd bulls. Using categories for tracking first-calf heifers, replacement heifers, stocker calves, etc.
Pasture and Movement dates are also fields you can use (they are not required to set up an animal).
Calfhood- The calfhood area allows entry of birth, weaning, and yearling dates and weights for the animal.
Descriptive- All items in the descriptive area are used to collect data on color, breed, breeder, dam, and sire. Most of this data can be prefilled on your account options screen.
Raised/Purchase Information: This area can be used to add information about purchasing an animal, such as the date, price, and ownership details.
The Details tab at the top of the animal record is for the registered editions of our software and stores breed-specific data, such as management codes.

After entering your data, click the Create Animal button. Now that you have added this animal, you can record more details.

Bulk adding animals

Do you have your cattle records on paper? Entering them can be quick and easy using the Bulk Add Animals process in CattleMax.

💡CattleMax Team Tip: When adding animals using Bulk Add, it's most efficient to add as much information as possible for each animal if you don't have a spreadsheet to import.

Select the Cattle Tab from the left side of the screen and then select Add New > Bulk Add Animals.

After choosing Bulk Add Animals, you can select the fields that are the same for all animals on the left and the fields that are unique to each animal on the right. Specify what method of identification you will use: ear tag, EID, etc. In the big box on the bottom, you enter each animal ID or copy and paste from a spreadsheet to add animals - only one ID per line. After the animals are listed, click the Continue to next step button.

After filling in all the information you asked for, simply click Create Animals to add them to your herd.

Importing inventory from a spreadsheet

We are happy to offer our Spreadsheet Import Feature for importing spreadsheet data into CattleMax! Spreadsheets can help collect records at the working pens and areas without Internet access. In addition, many breed associations and companies (such as feedlots) provide data in spreadsheet format. The data in CattleMax is structured so that information is easy to find, enabling the generation of helpful reports and worksheets.

For step-by-step details, as well as downloadable templates, please review this help article: Spreadsheet Import Guide

Registered Breed Association Importing

Are you a registered producer? Reduce your record-keeping time, organize your records in one place, and maximize your potential profit.

Breed association interface options include:

Import your herd inventory, including active animals, weights, EPDs, and 3-gen pedigrees from your association into CattleMax
Sync the association data with your animals already in CattleMax who have matching registration numbers.
Import updated performance data, including EPDs, adjusted weights, and ultrasound data.
Electronically register cattle using the spreadsheet template based on information in your CattleMax account.

*Each breed interface is set up differently based on the breed association's connectivity. Please check your breed's specific help article to see which features it may offer.

Here's how to enable Breed Association Interfaces

Need Help?

Adding inventory is one of the most important steps in getting started with CattleMax, and our team is here to help.

If you have questions about entering animals, choosing the best method, or organizing your herd records, schedule a Success Session with our rancher-based support team. During a one-on-one Zoom meeting, we'll help you review your setup and recommend the best approach for your operation.

Need a quick answer? Reach out by email, chat, or phone.