Frustrated with your current record keeping? Are you trying to keep track of your game / wildlife records on spreadsheets? Can’t you find the records of animals vaccinated, or when a cow has calved, who was its sire or how much you paid for it? Are you struggling to keep up with your record keeping and administration? Are your records getting lost and are you wasting valuable time to get data and photos together for marketing? Don’t you get the best prices because you can’t provide the needed information to prospective buyers?

Do you need to know with the push of a button how many animals are in the herd (per camp, management group and/or category); what animals are pregnant and when they are going to calf; which breeding animals reproduce poorly (e.g. never calved, long inter-calving period, long time since last calving, poor reproduction index); what is the pregnancy, calving and weaning percentage; the progeny of which breeding animals produces poorly; how many and what animals were born, sold, purchased, died, with a certain period of time (with values/prices where applicable); what is the total and average income of animals sold; what is the income per hectare or per LSU; what is the total income and expenditure and the net income? Read further and see how BenguFarm-GAME can assist you.

BenguFarm-GAME provides an easy to use, tried and trusted alternative to using your own recording system. It is your all-in-one on-farm game management information system. It was developed for easy and efficient record keeping of an inventory of animals, movement of animals, evaluation of reproduction, production and appearance for use in selection and breeding, day-to-day management, stock registers, expenditures and income as well as marketing. It is the ideal management software for precision farming. The program is specifically designed for the needs of the South African game / wildlife breeder and it caters for all aspects of game / wildlife recording and management: from purchase data, matings, pregnancy tests, calvings, weights, horn measurements, pedigrees, microchip numbers, DNA parentage and bloodlines, vaccinations, disease tests, diseases, injuries and treatments, procedures, photos, documents to sales, mortalities and camp activities, including feed put out per camp. It even has a very handy rainfall calendar.

In a Nutshell

• Easy to use, tried and trusted all-in-one on-farm game information software.
• Developed by BenguelaSoft, a South African company specialising in livestock and game software.
• Easy and quick view of all animal data on the main window.
• Easy to populate the database with your animal data using various data importing options and/or manual recording.
• Fully integrated with electronic identification systems.
• Integrated diary and management calendar.
• Animals can be linked to camps and management groups.
• Calculates various reproduction and horn growth traits (e.g. horn growth per month and growth indexes) in a scientific sound and easy to use way.
• Recording, processing and reporting of all income and expenditures and related production stats.
• More than 60 reports and recording (kraal) lists for stock taking, general and health management, breeding, performance testing, selection and marketing.
• BenguFarm Mobile app for off-line viewing and capturing of all important data on the spot while working with animals.
• User-friendly manual, on-screen help and friendly, readily available support by a network of agents.

About BenguelaSoft

BenguFarm-GAME is developed by BenguelaSoft, a South African company specialising in livestock and game software. BenguelaSoft has a track record of 16 years in the farming industry. BenguFarm-BEEF is one of the modules of the BenguFarm package with modules also for game, sheep, goats and pigs. All modules are developed on the same platform and principles – if you know one, you will easily master all the others. Each module is however customised for the needs and requirements of the specific species. BenguFarm is used by more than 1300 breeders across 14 countries and 4 continents. BenguFarm is endorsed by SA Stud Book as well as 21 beef cattle and sheep breeders’ societies.

BenguFarm-GAME was developed with the inputs of various prominent game breeders like Thaba Tholo, Sable Ranch, Phala Phala, Tina de Jager and Golden Breeders. The project leader since the inception of the development of the software, Mr Leslie Bergh, is ‘n well known professional animal scientist with 39 years experience in the livestock industry, specifically animal recording. The on-going inputs of our clients ensure that the program is custom-made to suit the needs of all game breeders and related institutions. The development approach is very much user-driven: users’ requests and suggestions enjoy high priority in the on-going development and upgrading of the software. The expertise of various animal scientists, veterinarians and institutions like WRSA, universities, SA Stud Book, DNA laboratories, etc. ensure that the software complies with all scientific and technical standards.

Species

The program currently caters for 36 southern Africa game / wildlife species (including sable, roan, buffalo, rhino, nyala, impala, oryx, tsessebbe, springbuck and blue wildebeest), 5 predator species (lion, leopard, cheetah, serval and caracal) and 5 exotic species (Scimitar-Horned oryx, Sitatunga, Fallow deer, Barbary sheep and Mouflon sheep). Subspecies, bloodlines and colour variants (including “splits”) can also be recorded.

Main Window

A unique feature is that the main window can be used to view the data of animals. There are two options: With the animal view option all data, photos and documents of an animal can be viewed quickly via various interchangeable view windows (e.g. birth data, pedigree, photos, horn measurements, reproduction data, progeny, vaccinations, diseases and treatments, procedures and notes), without the need to create a report. With the herd view option, the important data of the entire herd or a selected group can be viewed.

Importing and Creating Animal Records

It is easy to populate the BenguFarm database with your animal data using various methods. Data can, for example, be imported from Excel or files received from SA Stud Book (Logix), Breedplan, ARC (Intergis) or a breeders’ society. Data can also be imported from certain other farm software packages. Animals can also be recorded on the BenguFarm Mobile app and imported into BenguFarm. Farmers using RFID tags, can record animals on an EID reader (e.g. the Agrident APR500 or APR600) and import the data into BenguFarm. If needed, animal data can be entered easily and quickly by hand via a screen specifically developed for this purpose. (If you need assistance with preparation and importing of Excel data, please contact Mr. Leslie Bergh at 082 801 2026 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). When animals are purchased, the seller can create an electronic file in BenguFarm-GAME and send to the buyer which he can import into his BenguFarm-GAME and immediately have the animals' full information on record.

Photos and Documents

An unlimited number of photos, documents (e.g. DNA certificates, invoices, fertility certificates and vet reports) and videos can be saved and displayed for an animal. Photos of an animal and its parents can be displayed on certain reports. With the Pedigree and Progeny Photo Brower feature an animal’s own photos as well as the photos of animals its pedigree and progeny can be viewed in one window.

Reproduction and Horn Growth Calculations

BenguFarm-GAME automatically does various reproduction calculations like age at first calving, inter-calving periods, days since last calving and reproduction index. Expected calving dates are calculated using the species-specific reproduction parameters and herd-specific settings. Regarding horn measurements and other production traits, BenguFarm-GAME calculates inter alia horn growth per month, age-corrected horn length and indexes are calculated (see below). These scientifically based calculations provide for easy comparison and accurate selection of animals.

Inbreeding

Inbreeding is a very an important aspect to consider in breeding. If parentage is recorded, high levels of inbreeding can easily be avoided, as inbreeding coefficients are estimated for the progeny of planned matings, including warnings where a specific mating will result in high inbreeding (see below). The programme automatically also calculates inbreeding of all existing animals.

Data Exchange

For breeders who are also Logix-Game participants, data exchange between SA Stud Book’s central database, Logix-Game, and BenguFarm-GAME is seamless, automatically in the correct electronic formats.

Darting Data Window

Another unique feature of BenguFarm-GAME is the Darting Data window (see below), where all data recorded at a darting event can be recorded quickly and easily in one window. This includes data like veterinary info, horn measurements, photos, camp movements, inoculations, microchip implants, pregnancy tests, fertility tests, teeth condition, internal parasites (egg counts), treatments for illnesses or injuries, veterinary notes (including reminders for follow up) and weights. All veterinary info of a specific animal is therefore always available throughout the animal’s life.

Estimate Horn Measurements from a Photo

The darting of animals to measure their horns is costly and there is always the risk of injury or death. The Photo Tape feature (see below) in BenguFarm-GAME enables the user to estimate horn and other measurements from a photograph, without the need to dart the animal. This is done by scaling the horn length using an object, e.g. an ear tag, of known size in the photo. Horn lengths can be accurately estimated to within a quarter inch of the actual measurements with the Photo Tape feature.

Prices and Values

Apart from purchase and selling prices, book, market and tax values of animals can also be recorded. The costs of vaccinations, dosing, medicine and treatments can be recorded per animal. Costs like feed, lick and external parasite control can be recorded per camp.

DNA Certified Parents and Bloodlines

A very important aspect of game breeding (and buyers’ peace of mind) is the DNA certification of parents and bloodlines. The results of DNA analysis (DNA reference numbers and all certification information) issued by the laboratory are captured in BenguFarm-GAME. The user can then certify the parentage and/or bloodlines, as determined by the DNA analysis, in BenguFarm-GAME (see below). Bloodline percentages, as identified by nuclear DNA testing, can also be recorded. Certified parents are identified and marked with a DNA symbol in all BenguFarm-GAME windows and reports (see the Animal Summary report below).

Stock, Used and Costs

BenguFarm provides for stock registries for vaccines, remedies, supplements, medicines, semen, feed and lick. With the recording of vaccinations, dosings, supplements, treatments and inseminations as well as feed and lick used, the stock in question is automatically updated. The total amount and cost are also calculated.

Expenses and Income

All expenses and income can be recorded in BenguFarm. Certain expenses (e.g. AI, pregnancy tests, vaccinations, treatments, fertility tests) can be recorded per animal along with the relevant data. Feed and lick expenses can be recorded per camp or kraal. General expenses such as labor, fuel and breeders' society fees can be recorded as general expenses.

Reports

The program has more than 60 reports and recording lists for general and health management, breeding, recorded traits (e.g. horn measurements), selection, marketing and herd administration. (See Info > Report Examples and Screenshots for examples of a few reports). To name but a few:

• Several recording lists (for horn measurements, matings, pregnancies, calvings, vaccinations, etc.) for easy recording of data in the field.
• The Animals per Camp or Group report list all the animals in a camp for the selected camp(s) or group(s) and species. The user can customise the layout of the report and save his favourite layout for later use.
• The Herd List report for easy and quick checking which animals are in the herd and to verify their basic information.
• The Animal Numbers and Values report gives a summary of the animal numbers (within or across species) per user-defined category, including total book and market values.
• The Horn Measurements Evaluation report makes it easy to evaluate horn growth accurately and to select the best-performing animals using the horn growth per month of age indexes.
• The Heifers and Cows near Calving report enable you to be prepared for females which are near calving.
• The Reproduction and Pregnancy Selection report makes it very easy to select cows on reproduction figures according to norms that the farmer can choose according to his standards.
• The DNA Services Request form can be printed and send with the DNA samples to the applicable DNA laboratory.
• With the Log of DNA Samples Sent report, you can keep track of which animals’ DNA samples were sent for analysis and which results were received.
• The Related Animals report enables one to see instantly which animals in the herd are related to a specific animal and what the relationship is (e.g. sire).
• For the Animal Summary report, (see below) one can choose which animal information should be included: general information, photos, pedigree (with DNA certified parent symbols), progeny, horn measurements, reproduction data (female) or fertility data (male), microchip implants, camp movements, purchase data, notes, vaccinations, illness/injuries, treatments, etc. The logo of the farming business can also be printed on the report.
• A Sale Catalogue report can be created in a similar way as the animal summary report, where the user can choose which information should be included. Lot numbers can be allocated and remarks added.
• Purchases and Sales reports with date, buyer/seller, price, event, etc.
• The Animal Numbers Reconciliation report gives a list of all animal movements for a specific period in and out of the herd, e.g. animals purchased, calves born, animals sold, animals hunted, mortalities, with income and expenses where applicable.
• The Pasture Utilisation per Camp report gives the pasture utilisation of camps for a selected period.
• The Herd Income and Expenditure Summary report gives the income and expenditures per item as well as the net income for a selected period.

The user can also compile his own tailor-made reports – including criteria for animals to be included, data to be displayed as well as sorting and grouping of data. The criteria and layouts of these tailor-made reports can be saved for future use. It can, like all other reports, be exported in various formats, including Excel and pdf.

Camps and Groups

Animals can be linked to camps and management groups for the quick and easy selection of animals and to keep track of what animals are or were in a specific camp, group or herd. The camp movement history can, among others, be used to determine the bull(s) which may be the possible sire of a calf.

Computers and Language

BenguFarm-GAME can be installed on any computer or tablet with Windows 7, 8 or 10. (On an Apple Mac a virtual Windows can be installed and then BenguFarm can be run on it). The programme can be set up in both English and Afrikaans. It can be used for all game / wildlife species and herds and on more than one computer of the same owner without any additional cost. The owner and farm manager, office and home computers, desktop, laptop or Windows tablet, can have BenguFarm-Game on it. Various options are available to sync the BenguFarm database on these computers and your BenguFarm agent will determine the best option taking into consideration your specific circumstances and needs.

BenguFarm-MOBILE App

BenguFarm Mobile, an Android app, has been released in 2018. This app enables game / wildlife farmers to capture animal data on a smartphone or tablet with an Android operating system and to synchronise it with the BenguFarm-GAME data on the breeder’s computer.

Data on the breeder's BenguFarm-GAME can be sent from his computer to BenguFarm-MOBILE on a smart phone or tablet. This data can then be viewed on the smartphone or tablet when moving around between the animals in the veld. Basic animal data of new animals (calves/lambs born and animals purchased) can be recorded in the veld on BenguFarm-MOBILE. General notes and all data recorded at darting of animals can also be recorded on BenguFarm-MOBILE. This data includes horn measurements, photos, camp movements, inoculations & dosing, microchip implants, DNA samples, pregnancy tests (females), fertility tests (males), teeth condition, internal parasites, illnesses & injuries, treatments, veterinary notes, weights and general notes. By the way, the recording of data on BenguFarm-MOBILE in the veld does not need Internet access. The information recorded on BenguFarm-MOBILE can then be sent directly (synchronised) to the BenguFarm-GAME database on your computer(s) to bring the data on the computer up to date. Synchronisation of data can be done via Wi-Fi, Internet or a USB connection, depending on which method is available and the method preferred by the user.

Development of the Software

BenguelaSoft continuously develops new and improved features and reports in BenguFarm. The development is very much user-driven to ensure the software satisfy the needs of the users and the industry in general. We, therefore, welcome feedback and proposals of the users of the software.

All-in-One

Say goodbye to the days of looking for info all over the place – have EVERYTHING stored in an easy-to-find way and all together on a simple and easy-to-use program. Whether you are an established game / wildlife breeder or only starting out, no matter how big or small your herd is, or how much or little you would like to record – BenguFarm-GAME cater for all your needs.

User-friendliness, Support and Training

After sales support and training is very important for all software users. BenguelaSoft has agents in most provinces and in Namibia. When purchasing the software, BenguelaSoft assigns one of our agents to the client. The agent will help with installation, importing of data, training and support where needed. BenguFarm-GAME is very easy to use with the help of a user-friendly manual and a step-by-step help feature on most screens (see below). Training courses are held on a regular basis country wide in SA and in other countries. The most common feedback from people who attended courses is that the program is much easier to use and offer much more than that they expected.

Game Breeders’ Comments:

“Die wildbedryf het ‘n stoetfase betree. Telers benodig volledige en akkurate rekords vir seleksie, teling, dag-tot-dag bestuur en bemarking. ‘n Premie word betaal vir diere met volledige en betroubare inligting. BenguFarm-GAME sagteware maak die aantekening, verwerking en verslaggewing van data makliker en meer doeltreffend. Die program is dinamies en die aanslag is behoefte gedrewe sowel as wetenskaplik. Toeganklike ondersteuningsdienste en opleiding deur kundige agente maak dit ‘n plesier om die program te gebruik.”
- Andrien White, Bemarkingsbestuurder: Thaba Tholo

“Na 26 jaar as teler van wild, beeste en perde is ons sukses toe te skryf aan rekordhouding en seleksie. BenguFarm-GAME vergemaklik hierdie taak en maak rekordhouding 'n plesier. Inligting van diere en 'n verskeidenhied van handige verslae is baie maklik om in die hande te kry. Die ondersteuningsdiens is altyd vriendelik en hulpvaardig. Daarby is hulle altyd bereidwillig om na nuwe versoeke te luister en word nuwe funksies gereeld bygevoeg. Dit maak BenguFarm-GAME beslis die mees omvattende program wat ek nog mee gewerk het en ek kan dit met vrymoedigheid by medewildtelers aanbeveel.”
- Tina de Jager, Valley Venture Stoet