Australian sheep identification system provides a unique sheep identification (ID) for sheep in any breed, across all flocks, anywhere in the world.  The system identifies the breed, the flock of birth, the year of birth and the animals own tag number.

For Example, for the animal: 4701432010101835

The same ID stays with the animals for life and is used so that the system is able to pick up the pedigree and past information on that animal.

On entering a new flock (i.e. a purchased animal) the individual animal will keep its own ID however any subsequent progeny will take on the flock code from the flock in which they are born. i.e. a flock ID reflects the flock where the sheep was born. It will not change throughout the sheep's life.

As part of your Stockbook setup process, you should enter your (unique) Flock name and Flock Code (a 4 digit code acquired from Sheep Genetics) This code is used for calculating the SG ID.

How to add Flock Details:

Step 1. Click on Setup > Flock Details menu option

 Step 2: Add the detail

• Click on the Add button
• Fill in the relevant information
• Click on the OK button

The Add Animals window will now automatically default to your Flock Code, ensuring any sheep bred within your flock are always assigned to your flock.

Once the relevant information has been added to Stockbook, you may need to match the correct flock ID to the animals.

This can be completed via a Bulk Change.

A bulk change cannot be 'Undone'. Please ensure you do a backup before doing any bulk changes.

How to do a Bulk Change:

Step 1. Click on Animals button on the main toolbar

1. Click on Filter button to narrow your selection options
   
2. Click on OK button
   
3. Select the animals that need their 'Flock' changed
   
4. Click on Utility > Bulk Changes > Delete Obs./ Change Dates, Mgt. Grp, Stage Code, Flock menu option
   

Step 2. Tick the 'Change Flock/Herd' check box

• Enter your Flock Code
• Click the OK button

Purchasing a new animal:

When sheep are purchased, the animal will keeps its own ID, hence their Flock Number is also retained

For Example:

• This animal has the incorrect Flock Number, that does not correspond to the SG ID (Alternate Id.)
• The Flock number is incorrect because when you Add Animals in Stockbook, the Flock field will automatically default to your Flock Number when the Origin is 'Bred'

• Tick the 'Purchased' check box in the Origin window
• Change the Flock number to match the SG ID (see Alternate Id.)
• Click OK button

Once the relevant information has been added to Stockbook, you can then match the correct flock ID to the animals

This can also be completed via a Bulk Change:

Step 1. Select the animals that need their Flock changed

Step 2. Go to Utility > Bulk Changes > Delete obs./ Change Dates, Mgt. Grp, Stage Code, Flock

Step 3. Select 'Change Flock/Heard' > add the flock ID > click OK