Any program developers out there? Any heating detection apps you like?

I'm not looking for someone to build something from start to finish for free but see if it's something that can be done and how much it would cost.

I'm also looking for a heat detecting app where I can put in heat date, time, and gives me a return to heat date.  If it would record breeding info that'd be even better.  Yes I can write it down but the notebook always seems to mysteriously go missing from the Ranger. 

Apps can be extremely costly to build depending on their complexity.

Just set up a simple sheet on google drive with the column info you desire. Build a quick form for the sheet and save it as a shortcut on your mobile device home screens. You can then enter the data from the field using any mobile device you own in a few seconds and the records are instantly available on the sheet from any machine you can access the internet from. Each entry is automatically given a date and time of entry.

Calving, breeding, treatments, grazing, planting, spraying..... it'll work for just about anything you want to do and is free if you have an email address to create the account. 

We have been working on a system that does this and soooooo much more.  Also trying to have it to where info could be accessed and input from a smart phone.

We have pretty much design along with the screen layouts done.

It may be a very complex system, but the most important thing is, it will be easy to use and not be time consuming either.

I have visited with a few different programmers and the estimated cost to me is ridiculous.  I have worked on computers and networks for over 30 years and I have a very good comprehension of how databases work and are supposed to function. 

Medium Rare I hadn't thought of doing it that way. My problem will be the formulas. But at least I will be able to record the date and use it on any device.  When, not if, I lose/drown/crush my phone again it won't be good.

I was poking around looking for something myself the other day and hadn't thought of a spreadsheet program. I have an iPhone and have their numbers spreadsheet app on it, that I never use, so when a spreadsheet when mentioned I thought I'd check it out.

I got in there and it actually has a date function and you can add days to it. I just started a column for the cow (tag#/name at top), then put in the heat date I have for her, then added 21 days to it in the row below and it generated the next heat date.

It's free, and an option. It'll work for what I was looking for, I use the Cattle Vision app for TAI Calculator, Gestation Table and Semen Inventory now.

ejoe326 said:

Medium Rare I hadn't thought of doing it that way. My problem will be the formulas. But at least I will be able to record the date and use it on any device.  When, not if, I lose/drown/crush my phone again it won't be good.

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I haven't really had the need, so I haven't tried it yet, but you can put functions into the sheet columns to calculate your calving date or next heat date in a new column. It'll just use your breeding/heat date plus the number of days you enter to create the next heat or calving date column you'd be looking at.  I like being able to access it from anywhere and having the ability to just print the list off any computer at any time to hand to someone or even pin it on the wall as a reminder.

I REALLY like that even my retired dad, who is technologically challenged to say the least, or even the neighbor can notice a heat in a pasture somewhere, hit the form icon button I saved on his phone, type a tag number, and hit submit and I instantly have a breeding date recorded into the system that I may have otherwise missed.  With the price of beef, every one of those dates I can get my hands on is valuable.

I can't remember which university or extension it is, but one of them have some informational videos on youtube to help farmers/ranchers set up the google drive sheet/form system.

Our program/system has lots of built in standardizations, safeguards, protocols and validations. It has all of this while being easy to use with access to information that is quick and easy to get to. With the very,very few that have seen our features, screens, etc. everyone likes what they have seen. We have cow/calf producers, sale barns, feedlots and even a state (for a value-added program) that are interested in using our program.

Since we posted our comments on here and there was a question on another forum about about traceability. We have had several emails from people asking more about our program. One thing that is in common among these emails is the dissatisfaction of programs that are available.

We have ask them what they dislike and what features and what is important to them that they see as a benefit in a program. In the replies that we received back, the majority of the concerns or features that are wanted we have thought of.

Another unique feature of our system is that it can work not only for the beef industry but by changing a couple of screens can work for the dairy industry as well.

Like I put in our post the estimates that we have had to write this program are ridiculous, anywhere from $15,000 - $45,000. I just have to find a way to find the money so that we can get this program written.