New app launched to help Welsh farmers save time

Paperwork has long been the bane of many a farmer’s life, but a new record-keeping phone app has been launched for Welsh beef and sheep producers which saves time and ensures accuracy.

Exclusively created for farmer controlled co-operative Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers Ltd (WLBP), the app simplifies and standardises livestock record keeping and eliminates errors when entering vital medicinal information.

The easy-to-use WLBP Stockmove Express app, for Android or IOS phones, enables farmers to instantly record important livestock medicine information – including purchases and treatments. The QR barcode scanning facility records the product name, batch number and expiry date.

Available to all WLBP members, it is the latest innovation from WLBP, which represents over 7,500 Welsh livestock farmers, and owns the Farm Assured Welsh Livestock (FAWL) Scheme.

Explains Llŷr Lewis, WLBP Farm Records and Standards Co-ordinator, “We’ve had great feedback from farmers who have started using the app, as it is quick and straightforward to use, and reduces paperwork.

“The app’s QR barcode scanning facility records the product name, batch number and expiry date. It also automatically works out a medicine’s withdrawal period and populates the farm medicine book.”

Automatically linked to the WLBP Farm Records Website, the app also updates cross-compliance, farm assurance and farm management records, while movements are automatically inputted into flock and herd registers.

Says Llŷr, “You can complete the online FAWL Management Book and Health Plan, and everything is linked to the BCMS and EID Cymru. There are various management tools, automatic updates, as well as ongoing free support from WLBP staff.”

Ceredigion sheep farmer, Rhun Williams, keeps a flock of 650 ewes on his farm in Tregaron.

“I’ve been using the app since June,” says Rhun. It’s an easy and convenient way to keep records. It’s immediate, and you can put the information in while you’re administering the medicine, so there’s no having to fill things in later or when you get home. You just pop it on the phone, and the job’s done.

“With FAWL, you’re required to keep records, and in a proper format – this app does it for you. I’d encourage other farmers to take it up and see how easy it is.”