General Questions about Ranch Manager Software:
• Why should I purchase Ranch Manager® Software for my livestock operation?
• Why is Ranch Manager® so inexpensive, while other ranch management software programs are more expensive?
• How can Ranch Manager® help my livestock business?
• What are the benefits of using Ranch Manager® software?
• Does Ranch Manager work with the new ID tags that we are hearing about on the news?
• How many livestock records does Ranch Manager allow?
• How does Ranch Manager save me time?
• How many generation lineages can be created?
• Do you have a daily activity report that tracks daily events such as weather, site conditions, etc?
• Can I download digital pictures to keep with my livestock records?
• What if I have cattle and sheep, can Ranch Manager be used for both?
• Do you have other livestock management products?
• Is there a trial version of Ranch Manager available?
• Can I try everything in the demo program or are some features disabled?
• What are the system requirements to run Ranch Manager?
• Do you have any customer testimonials?
• Does Ranch Manager keep historical data such as when an animal is sold or had died?
• Do you have any livestock software for my PDA device?
• Will you be in business in the next couple of years?

Answers:
Why should I purchase Ranch Manager® Software for my livestock operation?
Ranch Manager is a quality livestock record keeping software program that is affordable, easy to use and produces essential tracking data for effective animal management. Ranch Manager Software assists with record keeping, reporting, and provides valuable assistance in decision-making. Great benefits in using the Ranch Manager Program include:

• Easy to use features (“How Do I” Help section, extensive search capability, Tutorial, Getting Started manual, intuitive interface, etc)
• Detailed livestock management records
• Conforms to animal identification guidelines (USAIP, NAIS, CCIA)
• Animal Identification tracking includes multiple livestock identification tags, tattoo, color, etc.
• Income/Expense tracking – Generate Profit and Loss statement for tax preparation
• Pasture location management (create pastures and track animal movements)
• Calculates Animal Profit and other useful Statistics
• Calendar and Journal
• Event Tracking (vaccination treatments, AI/breeding, sales, births, deaths, etc)
• Breed Planner detects inbreeding
• Complete Pedigree History including picture pedigree, multiple pictures per animal
• Multiple views of animals, multiple animal entry, multiple actions at once (eg. Treatments)
• Customize fields and detailed reports (Profit and Loss statement, ID Manifest, etc)
• Full printable search capability – search by any value
• And so much more…

Why is Ranch Manager® so inexpensive, while other ranch management software programs are more expensive?
Lion Edge Technologies Inc. is a family-run business. We create, develop and produce our software, packaging and website. Ranch Manager® Software was built and tested by ranchers. We survey our customers to ensure Ranch Manager meets their needs to effectively run their livestock operation. Ranch Manager is affordable because everything is done in-house and the savings are passed on to you. We understand the costs of running a livestock operation and the necessity of having a quality affordable livestock management program.  With Ranch Manager, there is no additional charge extra for animal or herd size.

How can Ranch Manager help my livestock business?
By having a complete record of all your animals, you can anticipate trends, make informed decisions and be able to optimize your operation. All our livestock management products work seamlessly together so if you have more than one livestock type, you can combine different livestock into Ranch Manager. We have customers that have diversified farms with cattle, sheep, goat, horses, livestock dogs, alpaca, llamas and wildlife and Ranch Manager gives them the flexibility to record all their animals into one livestock program! Each Edition is tailored to the type of livestock.

What are the benefits of using Ranch Manager Software?
There are so many benefits to Ranch Manager including software that is easy to use, affordable and a quality livestock management product. Ranch Manager makes your life easier by having organized livestock records. By having an easy to use system in one location, you have a better handle on what is going on within your operation.  Plus, Ranch Manager generates reports and statistics that make decision-making much more effective. Free product updates are delivered electronically and there is no extra charge for animal pictures or herd size. Ranch Manager is customizable and has useful filters and customizable search features.  Our easy to use interface contains a built in “How Do I” help system along with Getting Started manual and step by step tutorial.  We also take the time to help our users with free technical support if they need it.

Does Ranch Manager work with the new ID tags that we are hearing about on the news?
Ranch Manager interfaces with Allflex, IDology and SysCan wand readers.  Read tags directly into Ranch Manager, as well as perform animal searches against tag values scanned by the reader. With Ranch Manager's EID support, work your animals through the chute, wanding each animal and when you back at your computer, you can pull up the animals that you wanded in the chute and record the events that you performed against the animals in a couple quick and easy steps. Ranch Manager also allows you to download weights directly from the major livestock scales saving valuable time.

How many records does Ranch Manager allow?
Ranch Manager allows the user to have an unlimited herd/animal size at no additional charge. We do not believe you should be charged extra depending on your herd.

How does Ranch Manager save me time?
Ranch Manager saves time by keeping all your records in one handy place, your computer. Ranch Manager has built-in tools that make the software easy to use and provides valuable statistics and information based on the records entered. This allows you to make informed decisions.  Apply actions to multiple animals. For example, you can treat more than one animal at the same time.  Wand reader interfaces, Google Earth mapping, etc. The Pocket Edition software for PDA handhelds is also a great time-saver.

How many generation lineages can be created?
Ranch Manager allows you to keep an unlimited amount of Pedigree records.

Do you have a daily activity report that tracks daily events such as weather, site conditions, etc?
The Ranch Manager Journal feature allows you to record anything you desire about the day to day operations of your ranch.

Can I download digital pictures to keep with my livestock records?
Yes, you can download digital images and store them in an images folder in Ranch Manager. Ranch Manager accepts the standard formats .gif and .jpg (jpeg) for importing pictures.  Once the livestock pictures are added to the animals in Ranch Manager, you can select the picture pedigree of any animal and it will show pictures within the pedigree.

What if I have cattle and sheep, can Ranch Manager be used for both?
Ranch Manager was built to accommodate rancher’s needs. If you have cattle and sheep, the (Livestock) Edition for Cattle and Sheep edition works seamlessly together in one software program. You will have cattle terminology for the Cattle Edition and Sheep terminology for the Sheep Edition all in one program. There are other livestock types that you can choose from. Select any combination and build your own Livestock Edition:

Cattle Edition, Sheep Edition, Goat Edition, Equine Edition, Wildlife Edition (Deer and Elk, etc), Canine Edition, Camelid Edition (Alpaca and Llama)

Do you have other livestock management products?
Our customers have told us they want more livestock software options for their other types of livestock. We are working on other livestock editions to complement our current livestock programs. For more information or to be updated on these developments, please contact us and we will notify you when they become available.

Is there a trial version of Ranch Manager available?
Yes! Please complete the trial form (click here), and tell us you would like to evaluate Ranch Manager. Please let us know which Edition you would like to try as we have various livestock management products available. Please also ensure your email address is correct and that you provide a phone number. If you do not hear from us within 48 hours, we may not have a valid email address.

Can I try everything in the demo program or are some features disabled?
The Demo is the full version of the software and you can enter as much information as you would like.  You will not lose your data.  After you purchase the software, we will provide you with instructions on how to continue using the software without interruption.

What are the system requirements to run Ranch Manager?
Recommended Windows Desktop System Requirements
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X (See below)
500 MHz or Faster CPU (2 GHz or Faster Recommended)
500 MB of available hard disk space
512 MB of RAM
Mouse or Pointing Device
Color display supporting a resolution of at least 800 x 600
CD Drive with burner (optional)
Printer (optional)

Compatible devices include Palm Devices:
• Any Palm Powered device running Palm OS 5 or later.
• A minimum screen width of 320 pixels is recommended. However the software will run on 160 pixels but with reduced information visibility
• Minimum 32MB memory
• Touch screen with pen/stylus
Windows Mobile Devices
• Any Windows Mobile Device running Windows Mobile 5 or later.
• A minimum screen resolution of 240 x 320
• Minimum 32 MB memory
• Touch screen with pen/stylus
The Pocket Edition requires the Windows version of Ranch Manager which can be purchased together or separately with the Pocket Edition.

Handheld devices that will not run on Pocket Edition:
Blackberries, Motorola phones and Applie iPhones currently do not work with Ranch Manager: Pocket Edition.  If these devices become compatible in the future we will let you know. We do have plans to create products targetting the apple iPhone/iPad and Android platforms. If you are interested in the iPhone or Android application, please check back on our website or feel free to contact us. It is also useful if you indicate your intrest via the Contact Us area so we have a feeling regarding demand and can prioritize appropriately.Contact Us

Do you have any customer testimonials?
Please visit our testimonials page to see what our customers say about Ranch Manager.  Click here

Do you have any livestock software for my PDA device?
We have developed the Pocket Edition, a mobile companion software product to the desktop version of Ranch Manager. The Pocket Edition is a separate product that works with all the Windows-based Ranch Manager Livestock management products. The Pocket Edition currently does not run on Mac PDA devices.  PDA devices are not included with the software.  For more information, please refer to the product page of the software you are interested in.

Will you be in business in the next couple of years?
Lion Edge started with cattle software and now has various livestock software packages.  Nobody can predict the future but Lion Edge Technologies receives so many requests for new livestock software and features that we believe we will be around for quite a while.  We are a growing family business with no plans to slow down just yet.

FAQ - Mac OS X for Macintosh Users:
• Is Ranch Manager compatible with the Mac?
• How is the look and feel of Ranch Manager with the Mac?
• Can I use the Pocket Edition if I use the Mac?

Answers:
Is Ranch Manager compatible with the Mac?
Yes, you can run Ranch Manager on a Macintosh computer, Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher (Snow Leopard, Leopard & Tiger).  We currently have Mac versions for all our livestock software except the Pocket Edition software.  The Pocket Edition does not run on any Mac PDA devices.  We have plans for a separate iPhone application in the near future.  If you are interested in the iPhone application, please check back on our website or feel free to contact us.

How is the look and feel of Ranch Manager with the Mac?
The Mac version runs natively on the Mac and has the same content as the PC version of Ranch Manager but with a Mac interface.

Can I use the Pocket Edition if I use the Mac?
There will not be a Pocket Edition for Mac.  We have plans for a separate iPhone application in the near future that will run on the Macintosh Platform. An Android application, when it becomes available, would also be supported on the Macintosh.  If you are interested in the iPhone or Android applications, please check back on our website or feel free to contact us.

FAQ – Windows
• Is Ranch Manager compatible with Windows 7 and Windows Vista?
• I am having problems printing reports. I have Windows Vista, are there any issues?

Answers:
Is Ranch Manager compatible with the Windows 7 and Windows Vista?
Yes, Ranch Manager is designed to work with the latest versions of Microsoft Windows. Both Windows 7 and Windows Vista will run Ranch Manager, including both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

I am having problems printing reports. I have Windows Vista, are there any issues?
We have fixed the printing issues that were uncovered in Windows Vista. If you are experiencing print problems please ensure you have ugraded to the Version 2 software and have the latest update installed. You can download the latest updates here.

Answers:
I am interested in your Cattle Management software for my cow/calf operation. Will Ranch Manager work?
Ranch Manager’s Cattle Edition Software was specifically designed for both cow-calf operations and registered herds. Ranch Manager is built like a herd book and allows multiple views of your herd and tracks every aspect of your cattle operation.  We have one Cattle program for both commercial herds and purebred operations as some features are beneficial for both cow/calf and registered operations. Whether it’s commercial, purebred or a little bit of both, we are here to help make your life easier.

Do you have EPDs for the Angus breed?
Ranch Manager has animal trait information such as expected progency differences for some breeds including Angus cattle.   Purebred modules allow you to enter specific EPD information for Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Simmental, Salers, Brangus, Braford, Limousin, and Gelbvieh breeders (other breeds added upon request). A default purebred module is available to enter the most common EPDs for your other breeds.  There is no extra charge for the purebred module.

I would like to record frame score measurements for my miniature Herefords, will your program calculate these?
Ranch Manager accommodates measurements for both regular animals and miniatures.

What if I have cattle and sheep, can Ranch Manager be used for both?
Ranch Manager was built to accommodate rancher’s needs. If you have cattle and sheep, the Cattle and Sheep edition works seamlessly together in one software program. You will have cattle terminology for the Cattle Edition and Sheep terminology for the Sheep Edition. There are other livestock types that you can choose from. Select any combination and build your own Livestock edition:

Cattle Edition, Sheep Edition, Goat Edition, Equine Edition, Wildlife Edition (Deer and Elk, etc), Canine Edition, Camelid Edition

Can Ranch Manager help with the Canadian CCIA age verification entry?
You can use Ranch Manager to generate the CCIA birth date report which can be uploaded into the CCIA database through the CCIA website. The process is simple and saves the user time. Ranch Manager detects potential problems with your data and will provide warnings before the data is submitted to the CCIA database. You can keep all their livestock records in a single place, without being required to record CCIA ID tags separately and then later manually enter the information into the CCIA database. The software also allows for easy data correction, as animals can be looked up by entering the CCIA tag value. You can also mark your animals as “age verified”.

Does Ranch Manager allow me to record show records for my animals?
Ranch Manager allows you to track all the events that your animal participates in, with detailed notes. Event details and results can also be recorded. Show records and training records are both apart of the program.

Answers:
Can I use Ranch Manager to enter my Scrapie data?
Ranch Manager allows you to record all the necessary information required to conform to the Scrapie regulations. There is also a Genotype field in the program.

What if I have goat and sheep, can Ranch Manager be used for both?
Ranch Manager was built to accommodate rancher’s needs. If you have goat and sheep, the Goat and Sheep edition works seamlessly together in one software program. You will have goat terminology for the Goat Edition and Sheep terminology for the Sheep Edition. There are other livestock types that you can choose from. Select any combination and build your own livestock edition:

Cattle Edition, Sheep Edition, Goat Edition, Equine Edition, Wildlife Edition (Deer and Elk, etc), Canine Edition and Camelid Edition

Does Ranch Manager allow me to record show records for my animals?
Ranch Manager allows you to track all the events that your animal participates in, with detailed notes. Event details and results can also be recorded. Show records and training records are both apart of the program.

Answers:
Can I use Ranch Manager to enter my Scrapie data?
Ranch Manager allows you to record all the necessary information required to conform to the Scrapie regulations. There is also a Genotype field in the program.

What if I have goat and sheep, can Ranch Manager be used for both?
Ranch Manager was built to accommodate rancher’s needs. If you have goat and sheep, the Goat and Sheep edition works seamlessly together in one software program. You will have goat terminology for the Goat Edition and Sheep terminology for the Sheep Edition. There are other livestock types that you can choose from. Select any combination and build your own livestock edition:

Cattle Edition, Sheep Edition, Goat Edition, Equine Edition, Wildlife Edition (Deer and Elk, etc), Canine Edition and Camelid Edition

I have Boer Goats. Will Ranch Manager’s Goat software program track different purebred percentages like full bloods, ½ bloods, etc.?
Ranch Manager allows you to record percentages including: ½ blood, 2/3 blood, ¾ blood, 7/8 blood, full blood, mixed and purebred.

Does Ranch Manager allow me to record show records for my animals?
Ranch Manager allows you to track all the events that your animal participates in, with detailed notes. Event details and results can also be recorded. Show records and training records are both apart of the program.

Answers:
I have horses and donkeys. I would like to track their breeding. What will Ranch Manager do?
Along with the breeding planner that detects inbreeding, Ranch Manager’s Equine Edition includes a built-in worksheet per horse or donkey. The worksheet is a table that contains a full year of data. Some of the items you can record are: Incoming, Shipped, Teased, Status of estrus, Foaled, Pregnancy check, Ultrasound, Bred, etc.

I have horses and cattle. Do you have a combo package so that I can have them in one program?
If you have horses and cattle, the Livestock Edition for Equine and Cattle works seamlessly together in one software program. You will have goat terminology for the Goat Edition and Horse terminology for the Equine Edition. There are other livestock types that you can choose from. Select any combination and build your own livestock edition:

Cattle Edition, Sheep Edition, Goat Edition, Equine Edition, Wildlife Edition (Deer, Elk, Exotics, etc) and our newest products: the Canine Edition (livestock dogs and purebred dogs) and the Camelid Edition (Alpaca/Llama)

Does Ranch Manager allow me to record show records and training records for my animals?
Ranch Manager allows you to track all the events that your animal participates in, with detailed notes. Event details and results can also be recorded. Show records and training records are both apart of the program.

Answers:
I have Whitetail deer, Elk and Red deer and would like to record antler measurements. Does Ranch Manager do this?
Ranch Manager allows you to record antler measurements for deer and elk in our Wildlife edition. Ranch Manager has specific antler measurements for Whitetail deer, Elk and Red Deer, as well as other breeds.

I like to have pictures of my deer antlers in my pedigree.  Do you have a picture pedigree option?
Ranch Manager allows you to import pictures of your animals and then select the picture pedigree to view and print the pictures along with the lineage.

Answers:
When did you release the Camelid Edition?
Ranch Manager: Camelid Edition was released in the spring of 2009.  We received many requests and have worked with both Alpaca and llama producers to create the software.  The Camelid Edition Software is available in both Windows and Mac OS platforms.

Does Ranch Manager allow me to record show records for my animals?
Ranch Manager allows you to track all the events that your animal participates in, with detailed notes. Event details and results can also be recorded. Show records and training records are both apart of the program.

Canine (Livestock dogs & Purebred dogs) Software:
• When did you release the Canine Edition?
• Does Ranch Manager allow me to record show records and trainging records for my animals?

Answers:
When did you release the Canine Edition?
Ranch Manager: Canine Edition was released in the spring of 2009.  We received many requests from livestock producers who have guardian dogs and purebred dogs to create the dog software.  The Canine Edition Software is available in both Windows and Mac OS platforms.

Does Ranch Manager allow me to record show records and training for my animals?
Ranch Manager allows you to track all the events that your animal participates in, with detailed notes. Event details and results can also be recorded. Show records and training records are both apart of the program.

Livestock Software:
• Do you have other livestock management products?
• I have horses and goats, do you have a combo package so that I can have them in one program?
• Do you have any livestock software for my PDA?
• Does Ranch Manager allow me to record show records and trainging records for my animals?

Answers:
Do you have other livestock management products?
Customers have requested multiple livestock software options for their other types of livestock. Lion Edge creates other livestock tracking editions to complement the current livestock editions. For more information or to be updated on these developments, please contact Lion Edge for more information.

I have horses and goats. Do you have a combo package so that I can have them in one program?
If you have horses and goats, the Livestock Edition for Equine and Goat works seamlessly together in one software program. You will have goat terminology for the Goat Edition and Horse terminology for the Equine Edition. There are other livestock types that you can choose from. Select any combination and build your own livestock edition:

Cattle Edition, Sheep Edition, Goat Edition, Equine Edition, Wildlife Edition (Deer, Elk, Exotics, etc) and our newest products: the Canine Edition (livestock dogs and purebred dogs) and the Camelid Edition (Alpaca/Llama)

Do you have any livestock software for my PDA device?
We have developed the Pocket Edition, a mobile companion software product to the desktop version of Ranch Manager. The Pocket Edition is a separate product that works with all the Windows-based Ranch Manager Livestock management products. The Pocket Edition currently does not run on Mac PDA devices.  PDA devices are not included with the software.  For more information, please refer to the product page of the software you are interested in.

Does Ranch Manager allow me to record show records and training records for my animals?
Ranch Manager allows you to track all the events that your animal participates in, with detailed notes. Event details and results can also be recorded. Show records and training records are both apart of the program.

Answers:
Do you have any livestock software for my PDA device?
The Ranch Manager: Pocket Edition was specifically made for the Palm and Windows Mobile handheld devices on the market today. We do not have a Mac OS version of the Pocket Edition.  We have plans for a separate iPhone/Android application in the near future.  If you are interested in the iPhone/Android application, please check back on our website or feel free to contact us.

Can I use my Blackberry Device with Ranch Manager Pocket Edition?
We currently do not support Blackberry Devices but may support Blackberry devices that use touch screens in the future, if demand exists.  Please contact Lion Edge for further details.

Is my Apple iPhone compatible with Ranch Manager Pocket Edition?
Ranch Manager currently runs natively on Mac OS X for the Desktop versions of Ranch Manager.  We are currently looking into the possibility of having Mac PDA devices and iPhones in a separate iPhone application (not part of the Pocket Edition product).  Please check back with us in the future for new developments.

What type of PALM® handheld devices do you support?
Compatible devices need the following: 
Touch screen

What type of Windows Mobile® handheld Devices do you support?
Compatible devices need the following: 
Touch screen

What PDA handheld devices do you recommend?
Only the compatible devices with the requirements listed above are the devices we will support.  Although other handhelds may work, we are not responsible for supporting older devices and devices that may have drivers or other elements that we are not familiar with. Although we try to assist as much as possible, we are not responsible for compatibility with Windows 7 or other Windows compatibility issues and Palm devices.   

Is the Pocket Edition a standalone product or do I need to purchase the desktop version of Ranch Manager?
The Pocket Edition is not a standalone product.  Its purpose is to share data with your desktop version of Ranch Manager so you do not have to carry your laptop out in the field or at a livestock show.  Please note, the Pocket Edition does not include the PDA handheld device.  Please select the PDA device you feel the most comfortable with. PDA devices can be purchased at Electronic stores and online.

I love your Ranch Manager software program but I am afraid the Pocket Edition might be hard to use.  Will you help me with it?
We offer free technical support for all our livestock software.  We can walk you through any feature until you are comfortable.

What will I be able to do with the Pocket Edition (for PDA’s) of Ranch Manager?.
Not only will you be able to view your livestock records, you will be able to make changes to your livestock data.  Treat animals, sell an animal, record offspring during breeding season, and add notes.  Convenient and saves time!  The Pocket Edition synchronizes with your desktop version of Ranch Manager.

I currently have a dial-up connection; can I still use the Pocket Edition of Ranch Manager?
Yes.  Your handheld device does not need an internet connection to work.  The synchronization will be from the handheld cradle or sync button (on some models that do not have a cradle) to the desktop.

If I currently have the Livestock Edition of Ranch Manager which has Cattle, Sheep and Goat activated (as an example), can I purchase just the Cattle Pocket Edition of Ranch Manager?
Absolutely, however, only your cattle records will be available on the handheld device.  You can purchase additional modules later if you like.

Is there a trial for the Pocket Edition?
Not at this time.

Do you have any Testimonials for the Pocket Edition?
Although the Pocket Edition is one of our newest Livestock products, we are receiving great feedback.  Please view our testimonials page for more information.