Palm Cow & Calf Records

About Cow Records

The Palm Cow Records Program was developed to fill the void of producers wanting to collect and maintain cattle records, but who were not ready to invest in a large production management software package.  This program allows the user to enter and update individual animal records on a Palm powered PDA.  The program allows the user to enter, Calving, Breeding, Weaning, Pregnancy Check , and Permanent Dam Disposal data on an unlimited number of animals. 

When the Palm is HotSynced with a PC, the data is automatically stored in a MS Access Database, and converted to a file that can be viewed/edited with MS Excel. Users that have MS Access can export updated records to the Palm. Though MS Access is NOT required to make the program work. Only one production year is stored on the Palm, though, you can save historical data on the PC by simply saving the CowRecords data files with a different file name.

For user that eventually desire to upgrade to a more thorough production management software program, CowRecords data can be imported directly into that program. CowCalf5 has an automatic import feature to import CowRecords data.

EID Reader Support

The Palm Cow Records program supports the utilization of Electronic ID tags.  There are three seperate EID readers that CowRecords supports:

The sled EID reader attaches directly to the palm pilot, and interfaces with the Cow & Records Palm program.  You can assign an EID tag to an individual animal, or scan the EID tag and the program will automatically locate and display that animals record.  Both Cow and Calves can have an EID tag assigned to them.  The Cow & Calf Records program is designed to work with the EID Reader with no additional cost or software needed.

The EID Palm Sled Reader can be purchased from www.tekind.com.  They will work with most all EID animal tags currently available, since EID tags must conform to ANSI standards.  The EID reader is a rechargable device, that doesn't take power from the Palm.  Because various palms have different shapes and styles, TekInd only makes models that work with Palm M125, I705 and Tungsten C palm pilots. 

The Palm Cow Records program also supports the use of Blue Tooth EID readers like the one developed by Y-Tex (www.y-tex.com). In order to utilize the Blue Tooth reader, your palm pilot must have Blue Tooth capabilities. Most newer palms (Tungsten) models have this capablity. If your palm doesn't have this capability built in, then using a Blue Tooth SDIO card can be added to models that have an expansion card feature.

Using a Blue Tooth EID reader, the palm can be us to 10 ft. away from the reader, and still comunicate with it.

EID tags are a passive device, meaning that there is no battery contained with in each tag.  As such, the tag must get its power from the device that is trying to read it.  The TekInd reader must be within 4 inches of the tag to stimulate the tag, and make it readable.  At best, large, high dollar readers can only get about 1-2 feet away from the tags and still read them.

Print directly from Palm

The Printing of data directly from the palm to a printer can be accomplished using the IR (InfraRed) port on the Palm Pilot.  Using a commercial Palm Printing package called IRPrint, you can print not only records from you address book, appointment calendar, etc, but also your Cow & Calf Records entries.  You must purchase the IRPrint program from www.irprint.com, and install it along with the Cow & Calf Records Print program.  The Cow & Calf Records Print program is free to all owners of the Cow & Calf Records program.

Download Cow&Calf Records Print program.

The IrPrint software supports many IR printers including Canon, HP, Citizen, and SiPix InfraRed printers. 

The SiPix A6 is a thermal pocket printer that runs on AA batteries and roll thermal paper.  The printer can be purchase from many internet stores, including www.ebay.com , www.overstock.com and www.compgeeks.com very inexpensively.

Frequent Questions/Answers:

Many of the most common questions and problems are answered here.

Purchase Cow & Calf Records for the Palm

Purchasers of the program are entitled to free updates as they become available.  To purchase the program for $24.95, simply visit our online store ShopNebr.oom.

Read the installation directions here.