There are several digital tools available in Switzerland for managing sheep, goats, and cattle – but they solve different problems. In short: Agateway is a pure TVD notification tool, SmartCow is designed for cattle, Barto is a broad farm manager focused on cattle and arable farming, and Herdy is built as an all-in-one solution for sheep, goats, and cattle.
Agateway (Identitas)
The official app for TVD notifications for sheep and goats. It records events via an ear-tag reader and synchronises them with the TVD – free of charge and offline-capable. Agateway was transferred from Exelor AG to Identitas AG on 1 July 2024. Strength: official, free, reliable for pure notification. Limitation: no animal register, no breeding, no treatment journal, no exercise log – and tied to specific readers.
SmartCow
Free herd management app from Braunvieh Schweiz, Mutterkuh Schweiz, Swissgenetics, and swissherdbook (technically developed by Identitas AG). Strength: deeply integrated with cattle breeding data. Limitation: designed for cattle – not intended for sheep and goats.
Barto (365FarmNet)
Modular digital farm manager with many modules (including exercise log). Strength: breadth, connectivity to cantonal systems. Limitation: cattle and arable-farming-heavy; less depth for small ruminants; some modules are paid.
Herdy
All-in-one solution for sheep, goat, and cattle keepers: animal register, TVD notifications, TAMV treatment journal, breeding, weights, RAUS/grazing log – all in one app, also offline and with Bluetooth ear-tag scanner. Strength: one animal event feeds TVD, treatment journal, and welfare documentation simultaneously. Limitation: as a young product, not yet connected to all cantonal systems.
When does each fit?
- TVD notifications only, free, official: Agateway.
- Pure cattle farm with breeding focus: SmartCow.
- Large mixed farm with arable farming: Barto.
- Sheep/goats (and cattle) with breeding, health, and direct-payment documentation in one place: Herdy.
Conclusion
If the only goal is TVD notification, the official free tool is sufficient. But anyone who does not want to spread TVD, treatment journal, RAUS, and breeding across five systems – whether for sheep, goats, or cattle – is better served by an integrated solution.