Dept launches new app to register calves
THE Department of Agriculture has launched a new calf-registration app, which is available to use free of charge.
Minister Michael Creed welcomed last week’s introduction of Calf-Reg, and all herd keepers will be able to use the app for free if they have an Android or iOS smartphone.
It continues the trend of farmers switching from paper to electronic means of registering calves, a trend the Minister described as “very encouraging”. Last year, 70 per cent of all calves born were registered on the Animal Identification and Movement System (AIMS) using electronic notifications.
The new app has been described by the Department as efficient and user-friendly, and its primary benefits include an easy-to-use process of registering calf births, which works even without network connection.
In this event, registered details can be submitted later on AIMS when there is sufficient network coverage.
The app also makes it possible to register calves, even when working in farm buildings and tagging calves. It can also speed up the processing of passports without postage delays.
To use the app, herd keepers need to have an Agfood account, which can be registered at www. agfood.ie. The Agfood helpdesk is also available to help any farmers who may have trouble with the registration process, and this helpdesk can be contacted at (076) 106 4424.
For further information, one can contact aim@ agriculture.gov.ie.