General Questions about CattleWorks®
Q1: Does the Trial version of CattleWorks cattle software have all the functionality of the full version?
A: Yes, this is a full and complete copy of the program, it will just time-out and stop working in 21 days.
Q2: Will I lose the data that I enter into the program if the time-out occurs?
A: No, any data that you enter will not be lost even if the program times out. After you purchase the software you will receive a "key" once this is entered the program will be fully functionally with all data that you have previously entered.
Q3: The demo download takes too long can you send me a CD?
A: No, we are no longer mailing CD's. Please try our online cloud solution CritterWorks.
Q4: I have downloaded the CattleWorks software now what do I do?
A: The download process should have placed a file somewhere on your computer called CattleWorks Install v8.zip. Search for this file and then double click on it to start the install process. After completion of the installation, a CattleWorks icon will be placed on your desktop screen. Double-click on this icon to start using CattleWorks.
Q5: How many animals can be entered into CattleWorks?
A: Unlimited.
Q6: What are the computer requirements for CattleWorks?
A: Pentium class PC or higher, at least 800x600 screen resolution, 16 MB of RAM and any Microsoft Windows operating system.
Q7: Does CattleWorks retain information for an animal after it is sold or has died?
A: Yes, this is one of the greatest benefits of using a computer-based record keeping system. As animals are born or purchased and are sold or died over several years they are stored within an internal database in CattleWorks. This allows you to review and compare things like calving history, animals sold, etc… from one year to another.
Q8: How do I upgrade to the latest version of CattleWorks?
A: 1) Backup your database on your current version. Press F1 to access the help screens in CattleWorks for more details.
2) Go to our web site www.cattleworks.com and download the "trial" version of CattleWorks. 3) Be sure that you have a backup of your database, see step #1. 4) Using the "Control Panel" on your computer, Uninstall your current copy of CattleWorks (this should NOT remove your data, but be sure that you back it up, just in case) 5) Install the newly downloaded version of CattleWorks 6) Run CattleWorks. It should open with all of your data intact.
Q9: I want to use another currency symbol on the reports instead of the US $. How do I change this?
A: On your computer go to the "Control Panel" and the select "Regional and Language Options". This allows you to select the defaults for your computer you can select the correct country and then also customize this selection and change the $ symbol to any other symbol. After this is done, these changes should be reflected in the CattleWorks reports.
Q10: If I buy the CattleWorks software can I load it on two computers?
A: Yes, as long as you are only using it for one farm or ranch operation. For example, you can load it on a desktop for the office or home and also on a laptop to take into the field.
Q11: How do I find a manual for the CattleWorks program?
A: While running CattleWorks, press the F1 key to access the help screens. You can print pages of the help manual directly from this help menu.
Q12: I have downloaded a Trial of your software and am considering purchasing it. Are there options not available on the Trial?
A: The "Trial" version is the complete package with all of the features and options of the "paid" version. The only difference is the 21 day timeout pop-up warning when you start using CattleWorks.
Q13: Is there any way to create custom reports?
A: We have a couple of options for custom reports. You can use the Animal Inquiry section to export data as a .csv file and import this into Excel or other software packages. You can use these “third party” software packages to create reports. You can also write custom reports in Microsoft Access directly from the CattleWorks database. We use a Microsoft Access 2000 database and we do not "lock" it. Therefore, you have access to all of the raw data in the database to import into Excel or some other package, if you are familiar with this type of operation.
Q14: I just received my software registration key. Does that mean I can just keep using the Trial software with the herd data I have entered.
A: Yes, you can continue to use the "Trial" software. Just enter the registration key and the 21 day time out message will disappear. There is no difference between the "Trial" software and the paid version, only the 21 day timeout.
Q15: I just purchased a new computer and want to transfer my CattleWorks data to this new computer, how do I do this?
A: To transfer CattleWorks to another computer: 1) On the old computer, use the Backup routine under the File menu in CattleWorks to backup your data to a floppy, CD R/W, Jump drive or some type of removable media. 2) Install CattleWorks on the new computer from your original CD or from a download from www.cattleworks.com . 3) Start CattleWorks on the new computer and then use the Restore option to read the copy of your database that you backed-up in step #1. This will copy all of your data including your registration key to the new computer.
Q16: Is there a way to keep track of the cows and there respective calves?
A: Yes, enter your Cows and Bulls into CattleWorks first and then when you enter a calf you can select the "Sire" and "Dam" for this calf. CattleWorks will then keep track of the association between the Cows-Bulls and calves.
Q17: Can you store photos of the individual animals in their records?
A: Not currently.
Q18: Can you create additional user fields? Can you rename the user1 and user2 fields?
A: Not currently.
Q19: Can you hide or delete existing fields from reports?
A: Not currently
Using CattleWorks®
Q1: Why don’t the reports list the animals in order of tag number?
A: Most of the reports actually do list the animals by tag #. However, it sometimes is not apparent. The tag field is actually an alpha-numeric field; that is it can contain both numbers and letters. You can have a tag AB-25, for example. The reports then sort on this alpha-numeric field. The "trick" is that the report sorts on each character of the field starting from left to right; it does not look at the entire tag "number". For example; if you have the following tags: 100 - 75 - 21 - 3. They will be sorted as 100 - 21 - 3 - 75 that is, sorted by the first character in each tag number. To make the report sort the way that you would expect it to (when using only numbers for tags) then add a leading zero to the tags: 100 - 075 - 021 - 003. This would be sorted as 003 - 021 - 075 - 100. The way that you would expect.
Q2: Where do I enter calving information?
A: You enter your calves using the Add Cattle section. Enter the calves the same way that you would a cow or bull. At the bottom of the Add Cattle screen you have two buttons to select the Sire and Dam for the calf. After you select the Sire and Dam then CattleWorks will automatically keep track of the fact that this calf belongs to a particular Sire and Dam. In summary you select the Sire and Dam for a calf instead of entering a calf for a particular Sire or Dam. This makes the data entry part of CattleWorks exactly the same whether you are entering Cows, Bulls, Heifers, calves, etc..
Q3: How do I enter another Location into CattleWorks?
A: Select the Setup menu bar on the main screen of CattleWorks and then click on the Location Configuration icon. On this screen you can add/edit and delete locations that are specific for your operation. (Lot 51, Back40, etc..) Once you have added the appropriate locations then select the menu bar Cattle and then the icon Add. As you add your animals on this screen these new locations will be available to pick from.
Q4: How do we add weaning dates for our calves?
A: Go to the Edit/View section of CattleWorks, select the location and then select the animal. On this screen you can add the weaning date and change the type of animal from "calf" to heifer, steer, etc..
Q5: I have weaning date in for some heifer calves, but on the weaning report it is still listing them as beyond weaning age?
A: You will need to change the animal type from "Heifer Calf" to "Heifer", "Steer calf" to "Steer", etc. using the Edit/View section of CattleWorks.
Q6: In the Add Cattle section of CattleWorks, how do I change Location1 to something else?
A: To add or change locations, click on the Setup menu bar and then select "Location Configuration". On this screen you can Add/Edit and Delete as many locations as needed for your operation. While in this Setup section you may want to update the Address section and the Breed section specifically for your operation. Once you have customized CattleWorks for your operation, these settings will appear when you Add cattle back in the Cattle section.
Q7: The cross breed that we use is not listed when we Add animals. How can I add my particular breed?
A: Go to the Setup section of CattleWorks and then select "Breed Configuration". Now use the Add button on the Breed Configuration screen to add another breed. Press the F1 key while running CattleWorks to access the help screens for more details.
Q8: Can I enter the same tag number for two different cows?
A: You can enter as many tag numbers as you like with the same number into CattleWorks. Our software uses a unique ID number to keep track of each animal. This number is generated by CattleWorks and cannot be changed by the user. The Tag number is just used by you to track and identify your animals.
Q9: I am trying to print out reports to do my tax return. How do I print a list of all the cattle that has been purchased and sold last year and the costs?
A: The Financial Report will list the all animals purchased, sold and died plus a summary of all Event costs for the time period. Note that you can double click on the Purchased, Sold and Died (parts that are blue) and get more detailed information for each.
Errors
Q1: I get the following error message: “runtime error Microsoft jet data base engine cannot open file c:\program files\cattleworks\databases\cattlewks.mdb. It is already opened exclusively by another user, or you need permission to view its data.”
A: Your CattleWorks database is "read only". This is usually a byproduct of copying to a R/W CD and then copying back to the hard drive. To fix this do the following:
1) Using the My Computer Icon, browse to the location: c:\program files\cattleworks\databases
2) Find the file cattlewks.mdb and right click on it and select Properties
3) Uncheck the "Read Only" attribute at the bottom of the pop-up box.
4) Try running CattleWorks again.
Q2: I have installed CattleWorks on a computer with a Spanish language operating system. What do I need to do to make CattleWorks work?
A: Make the following changes:
1) Find the folder CattleWorks, it should be under the Archivos de programa directory.
2) Create a new folder directly called Program Files directly onto the main C drive.
3) Copy the CattleWorks folder from the current location to the Program Files directory The final path should look like: c:\program files\cattleworks
4) Try running CattleWorks again.
Q3: The Animal Inquiry button does not work, what is the problem?
A: Use the search files option on your computer and search for the file: todg7.ocx If this file is on your computer then do the following:
1) Select the Start Bar and then Run
2) Type in the following command regsvr32 todg7.ocx
3) Note what message you get after you type in the command above and press Enter. If the message says "successful" then try running CattleWorks again and select the Animal Inquiry button. If the message says something else, email this information to us.
Q4: CattleWorks will not install on my computer because it says that it will not fit my screen. How do I fix this?
A: CattleWorks requires a screen resolution of at least 800 x 600 to work. Your computer screen resolution is checked by the install program and it will not let CattleWorks install if it does not meet these requirements. Most of today’s computers will easily go to this screen resolution. Consult you computer manual or online help and see if you can change your resolution to 800 x 600, then try installing CattleWorks again.
Q5: I get the following message "Runtime error 91" when I run CattleWorks on my E drive?
A: Currently CattleWorks will only run on the "C" drive. There is no way to make it run on the E drive. Uninstall CattleWorks and then re-install on the C drive to resolve this issue.