How to Bulk Import Animals into FarmKeep

Have an existing list of animals in a spreadsheet? Save time by importing your animal records into FarmKeep all at once!

FarmKeep’s Bulk Import feature lets you create multiple animal profiles using a CSV file. Whether you’re transferring records from another system or setting up your farm for the first time, you can quickly import your animals without entering each one manually.

This guide explains how to prepare your CSV file, format your animal information, and successfully import your records.

1. Getting Started

To import animals into FarmKeep, you’ll need a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file containing your animal information.

You have two options:

Option A: Download the FarmKeep CSV Template (Recommended)

The easiest way to get started is by using our preformatted CSV template.

1. Open FarmKeep on the web.
2. Navigate to the animal bulk import feature.
3. Download the FarmKeep Animal Import Template.
4. Open the template using Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet editor.
5. Enter your animal information into the corresponding columns.
6. Save or export your completed spreadsheet as a .csv file.

The template includes the supported field names, making it easier to organize your records correctly.

Tip: You don’t need to fill out every column! Only the animal’s name and species are required. All other fields are optional unless otherwise specified.

Option B: Upload Your Own CSV File

Already have your animal records in a spreadsheet? You can upload your existing CSV file instead.

Before uploading:

• Make sure your file is saved in .csv format.
• Organize your data so that each row represents one animal profile.
• Use the first row for column headers.
• Ensure each animal has a name and species.
• Review the field formatting requirements below.

Important: If you’re using your own CSV file, you’ll have an opportunity to match your spreadsheet’s columns to the corresponding FarmKeep fields during the import process.

2. Understanding Your CSV File

Each row in your CSV represents one animal profile in FarmKeep. You can create profiles for individual animals or groups of animals.

For example:

In this example:

• Daisy, Billy, and Bella are individual animal profiles.
• Orchard Chickens represents a group of 12 chickens.

Tip: Use the quantity field when you want to manage multiple animals together under a single profile.

3. CSV Field Formatting Guide

The following reference explains each supported field, whether it’s required, and how to format your information.

Basic Animal Information

These fields identify your animals and organize their profiles.

Animal Name

Column name: name
Required: Yes
Accepted format: Any text

Enter the name of your animal or animal group.

Examples:

• Daisy
• Billy the Goat
• Orchard Chickens
• Pasture Herd A

Spaces at the beginning or end of the name will be automatically removed.

Reference ID / Tag Number

Column name: reference_id
Required: No
Accepted format: Any text

Enter an identification number, ear tag, RFID reference, or other identifier used to track your animal.

Examples:

• COW-001
• A1234
• RFID-987654
• 0045

Reference IDs can contain letters, numbers, and special characters.

Tip: If your IDs contain leading zeros (such as 0045), format the column as text in your spreadsheet editor to prevent the zeros from being removed.

Quantity

Column name: quantity
Required: No
Accepted format: Whole numbers

Specify how many animals are included in the profile.

Examples:

• 1 — One animal
• 5 — Group of five animals
• 12 — Group of twelve animals
• 100 — Group of one hundred animals

Formatting rules:

• Only whole numbers are supported.
• Decimal values are rounded to the nearest whole number.
• Negative numbers are automatically converted to positive numbers.
• Empty or invalid values default to 1.
• Text values are ignored.

Recommendation: Use 1 for individual animals and a number greater than 1 for animal groups.

Species

Column name: species
Required: Yes
Accepted format: Species name

Enter the species of your animal.

Examples:

• Cattle
• Goat
• Sheep
• Chicken
• Duck
• Horse
• Rabbit

FarmKeep will attempt to match your entry with an existing species in its official species list or your farm’s custom species list.

Formatting rules:

• Species names are not case-sensitive.
• For example, goat, Goat, and GOAT are treated as equivalent.
• If a species doesn’t exist, you’ll have an opportunity to create it during the import process.

Breed

Column name: breed
Required: No
Accepted format: Breed name

Enter the breed of your animal.

Examples:

• Angus
• Boer
• Dorper
• Rhode Island Red
• Nigerian Dwarf

Formatting rules:

• The breed must belong to the selected species.
• Breed names are not case-sensitive.
• FarmKeep will attempt to match the breed with an existing breed.
• If the breed doesn’t exist, you’ll have an opportunity to create it.

Tip: Make sure your species and breed combinations are correct. For example, Angus should be associated with Cattle.

Color

Column name: color
Required: No
Accepted format: Any text

Enter your animal’s color or markings.

Examples:

• Black
• Brown and White
• Red
• Spotted
• Blue Roan

Spaces at the beginning or end of the value will be automatically removed.

Labels

Column name: labels
Required: No
Accepted format: Text, separated by commas

Labels help you organize and relate groups of animals within FarmKeep. You can assign multiple labels to an animal by separating them with commas.

Examples:

• Breeding Stock
• Show Animals, 4-H
• Pasture A, Breeding Herd
• Egg Layers, Flock 1

Important: When entering multiple labels in a CSV file, enclose the entire value in double quotation marks.

Example: "Pasture A, Breeding Herd"

This ensures that the labels remain in the same column when the CSV is processed.

Animal Details

These fields contain additional information about your animals.

Date of Birth

Column name: date_of_birth
Required: No

Accepted formats:

Recommendation: Use YYYY-MM-DD for consistency.

For example, April 15, 2025 should be entered as: 2025-04-15

Sex

Column name: sex
Required: No

Formatting rules:

• Values are not case-sensitive.
• female, Female, and FEMALE are all accepted.
• Empty or invalid values default to Unknown.

Tip: Use Mixed when importing a group containing both male and female animals.

Weight

Column name: weight
Required: No
Accepted format: Number (decimals allowed)

Enter your animal’s current weight.

Examples:

• 120
• 45.5
• 1250
• 2.75

When you import a weight, FarmKeep automatically creates a weight record using the date of the import.

Important: Do not include the unit in the weight field. Use the separate weight_uom column to specify the unit.

Correct:

• 125.5

Incorrect:

• 125.5 lbs

Weight Unit

Column name: weight_uom
Required: Only if a weight is provided

Specify the unit of measurement for the animal’s weight.

Formatting rules:

• Values are not case-sensitive.
• If a weight is provided, a weight unit must also be provided.
• If the weight field is empty, the weight unit field is ignored.

Example:

Reproductive Information

These fields help you track whether an animal has been sterilized.

Intact

Column name: intact
Required: No

Indicates whether your animal is reproductively intact (not sterilized).

Formatting rules:

• Values are not case-sensitive.
• If left empty, the value defaults to False.

Important: If your animal is intact, enter True. If your animal has been sterilized, enter False.

Sterilization Date

Column name: sterilized_date
Required: No

Enter the date your animal was sterilized. FarmKeep supports several date formats:

Recommendation: Use YYYY-MM-DD to avoid confusion between month and day.

Important: If intact is set to True, the sterilization date will be ignored.

Animal Status

These fields indicate whether an animal was purchased, sold, or is located off your farm.

All status fields accept the same values:

• True or T = Yes
• False or F = No

Values are not case-sensitive, and all three fields default to False if left empty.

Purchased

Column name: purchased
Required: No

Indicates whether your animal was purchased.

Examples:

• True — Animal was purchased.
• False — Animal was not marked as purchased.

Sold

Column name: sold
Required: No

Indicates whether your animal was sold.

Examples:

• True — Animal was sold.
• False — Animal was not marked as sold.

Off Farm

Column name: off_farm
Required: No

Use this field for animals that are not owned by your farm but are included in your records.

For example:

• A bull providing stud services.
• An animal used as an artificial insemination donor.
• An animal included in another animal’s pedigree.

Examples:

• True — Animal is off farm.
• False — Animal is not marked as off farm.

Additional Details

Column name: additional_details
Required: No
Accepted format: Any text

Add notes or other relevant information about your animal.

Examples:

• Purchased from Smith Family Farm.
• Friendly temperament, excellent mother.
• Requires special feeding during winter.
• Registered with breed association.

Spaces at the beginning or end of the text will be automatically removed.

Tip: If your notes contain commas, enclose the entire value in double quotation marks to preserve the CSV formatting.

4. Tips for a Successful Import

Following these best practices can help prevent errors when importing your animals.

Use the FarmKeep Template

We recommend starting with our downloadable CSV template, especially if this is your first import. The template contains the supported field names, making it easier to format your information.

Check Your Required Fields

Every animal must have:

• A name (name)
• A species (species)

All other fields are optional, except weight_uom, which is required when a weight is provided.

Use Consistent Date Formats

Although FarmKeep accepts multiple date formats for sterilization dates, we recommend using: YYYY-MM-DD‍

This format is easy to read and reduces ambiguity.

Double-Check Your Species and Breeds

FarmKeep attempts to match species and breeds with existing records. Check spelling to improve matching accuracy. If a species or breed isn’t recognized, you’ll have an opportunity to create it.

Keep Numbers and Units Separate

When entering weights, use separate columns for the number and its unit.

Save Your File as CSV

Before uploading, make sure your spreadsheet is exported as a .csv file. In Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, you can export your spreadsheet using the CSV file format.

Ready to Import Your Animals?

Importing your existing animal records is a great way to get started with FarmKeep. Whether you’re managing a small backyard flock or a large livestock operation, the bulk import feature helps you organize your animals without having to create every profile manually.

Get started by downloading the FarmKeep Animal Import Template or uploading your existing CSV file in FarmKeep Web.

FAQ

Do I need to fill out every column?

No! Only name and species are required.

You can leave other fields empty if you don’t have that information.

The weight_uom field is also required if you provide a weight.

Can I import groups of animals?

Yes! Use the quantity field to specify the number of animals in a group.

For example, you can create a profile called “Orchard Chickens” with a quantity of 12.

What happens if FarmKeep doesn’t recognize a species or breed?

FarmKeep will attempt to match the species or breed with its existing records.

If no match is found, you’ll have an opportunity to create the missing species or breed during the import process.

Can I upload a CSV file from another farm management system?

Yes! You can upload your own CSV file and match its columns to the corresponding FarmKeep fields during the import process.

Make sure your data follows the formatting requirements outlined in this guide.

What happens if I leave a field empty?

Most optional fields can be left empty.

Some fields have specific default values:

Can I import an animal’s weight history?

The bulk import feature supports importing an animal’s current weight.

When a weight is provided, FarmKeep creates a weight record dated on the day of import.

Can I import animals without a reference ID?

Yes! Reference IDs are optional.

You can create animal profiles using only their names and species.

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