{"id":6157,"date":"2026-09-22T12:15:24","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T06:45:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/?p=6157"},"modified":"2026-09-22T12:15:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T06:45:27","slug":"livestock-management-with-microsoft-dynamics-365-business-central-and-navfarm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/livestock-management-with-microsoft-dynamics-365-business-central-and-navfarm\/","title":{"rendered":"Livestock Management with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and NAVFarm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\tBook a Free Demo<\/a>\r\n\n\n\n\n


Managing Animals and Managing Accounts Are Two Different Jobs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A livestock business generates information at two very different levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the farm, teams work with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Batches<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnancy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccination<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortality<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transfers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing stages<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm inventory<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the business level, management needs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchasing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vendor payments<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inventory valuation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customer receivables<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Costing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General ledger<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cash flow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Profit and loss<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial reporting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trying to manage both sides in a standard accounting system can leave the farm team without the operational depth it needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running farm operations in a completely separate application creates another problem: finance and farm data remain disconnected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where NAVFarm with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central<\/strong> can provide a practical model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm manages livestock-specific farm operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Central manages the wider ERP and financial processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two can work together as one connected business environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why a Standard ERP Alone May Not Be Enough for Livestock<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A normal ERP understands transactions such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase order<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goods receipt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inventory issue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales invoice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journal entry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But a livestock farm needs to understand transactions that are biological and operational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sow moves from gestation to farrowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Piglets are born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some piglets are weaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animals move from weaner to grower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed is consumed by an animal group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An animal receives treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An animal is culled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An animal is sold based on actual weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are not simply accounting entries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are livestock operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system architecture therefore needs to respect both sides of the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is NAVFarm?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm is designed to manage farm and livestock operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the livestock business, it can support processes around:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal registration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Batch management<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal lifecycle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnancy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farrowing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weaning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing stages<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed consumption<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Body weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccination<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medication<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortality<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Culling<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transfers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm inventory<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Costing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traceability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exact process depends on whether the business manages pigs, cattle or another livestock operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Manage?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central can provide the core ERP environment for areas such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General ledger<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchasing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vendors<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inventory<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receivables<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payables<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Banking<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fixed assets<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial reporting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Central therefore handles the wider commercial and financial side of the livestock company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm and Business Central Should Not Duplicate Each Other<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good integration does not mean entering every transaction into two systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The responsibility of each system should be clearly defined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal operations
Farm activities
Breeding
Feed consumption
Mortality
Weight
Health
Farm-level production information<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Central<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase
Vendor
Financial inventory
Sales
Customer
General ledger
Receivables
Payables
Financial statements<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then integration connects the transactions that need to cross between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is much cleaner than trying to make both systems perform the same job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start With Master Data<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Integration should begin with master-data ownership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business needs to decide where important masters are created and maintained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Item<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vendor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unit of measure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Livestock category<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost dimensions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the same master is created differently in two systems, transaction integration will eventually fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One system should normally remain the master source for each shared record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Item Master Integration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed, medicine, vaccines and farm consumables may need to exist in both environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, an item can be created or approved in Business Central and made available to NAVFarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm users can then use the same item reference while recording consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This avoids creating:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed Item 001 in ERP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed A in the farm system<\/p>\n\n\n\n

for the same physical material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm and Location Structure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ERP structure should reflect the livestock operation properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A business may have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Company<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Site<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warehouse<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal house<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The accounting system does not necessarily need every operational level as a financial location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution design should decide which dimensions belong in Business Central and which remain operational within NAVFarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Livestock Purchase Process<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider purchased animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commercial transaction may begin with a purchase order in Business Central.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vendor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal category<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quantity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase price<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tax<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receipt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invoice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the farm, NAVFarm may need additional information such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal ID<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RFID<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sex<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date of birth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health status<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Batch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commercial purchase and animal registration are related, but they serve different purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal Birth Is Different From Animal Purchase<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the reasons livestock ERP requires proper design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A newborn animal has entered the livestock population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there may be no supplier invoice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system needs to distinguish between:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal purchased externally<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal born internally<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both increase the livestock population, but their financial and operational origins are different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding Operations Stay Operational<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding activities may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heat detection<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Service<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artificial insemination<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural mating<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnancy confirmation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expected delivery date<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Litter information<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are farm-management activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They do not need to create unnecessary accounting transactions every time something happens biologically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, relevant financial impact can be transferred according to the agreed accounting and costing design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Piggery Lifecycle Management<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A piggery may operate through stages such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gilt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Service<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gestation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farrowing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Piglet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weaner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grower<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finisher<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each movement represents an important operational event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm can maintain the animal or batch lifecycle while Business Central manages the related business transactions that need financial recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cattle Lifecycle Management<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cattle operation may require:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal identification<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sex<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnancy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calving<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Movement<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same principle applies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal-level detail remains where farm teams need it, while ERP manages the commercial and financial side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed Purchase Starts in ERP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed may be one of the largest costs in a livestock business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A typical purchase process can begin in Business Central:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase Requisition or Requirement \u2192 Purchase Order \u2192 Vendor \u2192 Receipt \u2192 Invoice \u2192 Payment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once feed is available, relevant stock information can be made available for farm operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed Consumption Starts at the Farm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The farm knows where the feed was actually consumed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm A<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grower Batch 12<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1,250 KG<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed Type X<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm can capture that operational consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transaction can then affect the relevant inventory and costing process according to the integration design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why This Connection Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without integration, finance may know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20 MT of feed was issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But operations may know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 MT went to Grower Batch A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 MT went to Grower Batch B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 MT went to Finisher Batch C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connecting the two gives management both:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

financial stock control<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

and<\/p>\n\n\n\n

livestock performance visibility.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicine and Vaccine Integration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicine and vaccine may follow a similar process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Central can manage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vendor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receipt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inventory value<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm can manage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal or batch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccination<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicine used<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reason<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consumption can then connect with inventory and livestock cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm Inventory<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not every inventory transaction needs to originate from the central warehouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Livestock businesses may maintain stock at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central store<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm store<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicine store<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed store<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other locations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stock transfer can move material to the farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm consumption then reduces the appropriate inventory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening Farm Inventory<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During implementation, the business needs to define how existing farm stock will be brought into the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typical categories may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccines<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consumables<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other farm stock<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accurate opening inventory is important because future consumption and costing depend on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal Movement Between Farms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animals may move between locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm can maintain the operational movement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From farm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To farm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal or batch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quantity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reason<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where the movement has an inventory or accounting impact, the required transaction can connect with Business Central.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortality Has Both Operational and Financial Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When an animal dies, the farm needs to record:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal or batch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reason<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight where required<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This immediately changes the physical livestock population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the accounting policy, mortality may also affect livestock value or cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where the operational transaction and financial treatment need to be connected correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Culling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Culling is different from normal mortality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An animal may be removed because of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poor performance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding performance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical condition<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other management reasons<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business may subsequently:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dispose of it<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sell it<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transfer it<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system should maintain both the operational reason and the commercial outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Livestock Costing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Management eventually needs to know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much is this animal costing us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much has this batch cost?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the feed cost?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the medicine cost?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What other farm expenses have been incurred?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the cost by stage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm provides the operational drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Central provides the financial transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, they can create a much stronger livestock costing model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost Per Animal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost per animal may include components such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening or acquisition cost<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccination<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm expenses<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Labour allocation where applicable<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortality impact<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other overheads<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exact costing method should follow the company’s accounting and management policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost by Livestock Stage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For pig farming, management may want to understand cost across:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gestation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farrowing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weaning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finishing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This provides much more useful information than knowing only the final total cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standard Cost Versus Actual Cost<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some livestock businesses may use standard costs during the production cycle and analyse variances later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others may require actual cost accumulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution should be designed around the company’s accounting method rather than forcing one approach on every farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biological Assets<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Livestock accounting may involve biological assets depending on the nature of the business and applicable accounting standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The operational livestock register and financial accounting treatment need to be designed carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm can maintain operational animal information while Business Central can support the required financial structure based on the approved accounting design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exact treatment should be confirmed with the company’s finance and accounting team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Livestock Sales<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animals may be sold:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Per animal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By batch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By category<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By contract<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sales transaction may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal or batch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quantity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actual weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Value<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dispatch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invoice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receipt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm can provide the livestock information while Business Central manages the commercial and financial transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight-Based Animal Sales<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For businesses selling animals by live weight, actual weight becomes commercially important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

100 animals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average weight 105 KG<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actual total weight 10,500 KG<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agreed price per KG<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sales value can then follow the company’s pricing method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customer and Credit Control<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The farm team does not need to manage the entire customer ledger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Central can manage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customer master<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit limit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payment terms<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outstanding balance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invoice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receipt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This keeps financial control within ERP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Farm Transaction to General Ledger<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where the combination becomes valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A farm manager records what happened operationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finance should not need to re-enter the same information manually in another system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where a financial posting is required, integration can move the relevant transaction into the ERP process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This reduces:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duplicate entry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delayed posting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manual reconciliation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different numbers between farm and finance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use Dimensions Instead of Creating Hundreds of GL Accounts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common ERP mistake is trying to represent every farm, animal group or activity through separate GL accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can make the chart of accounts unnecessarily complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Central dimensions can be used where appropriate for analysis such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business unit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost centre<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Livestock category<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final design should balance operational detail with manageable financial reporting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm-Level Profitability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Management may want to compare:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm revenue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed cost<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicine cost<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal cost<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Operating expenses<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortality impact<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gross margin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Profitability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This requires operational and financial data to work together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multi-Farm Operations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A livestock company may operate several farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm can maintain detailed farm activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Central can provide consolidated financial reporting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Management can therefore compare:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm A versus Farm B<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortality<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal performance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Profitability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multi-Company Livestock Businesses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Larger groups may operate separate legal entities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding company<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing company<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed company<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales company<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution architecture needs to consider both operational movement and legal financial transactions between companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Management Reporting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The combined environment can provide information such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal population<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed consumption<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortality<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding performance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm inventory<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost per animal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost per batch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Revenue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outstanding receivables<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm profitability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Management gets operational and financial information without maintaining separate manual reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power BI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where deeper management reporting is required, Power BI can be used to bring together relevant operational and ERP data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashboards may show:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal performance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed cost<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortality<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm comparison<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost trend<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Profitability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reporting model should be designed around actual management questions rather than simply showing more charts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile Farm Data Entry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm users should not need to sit at a desktop ERP terminal for every activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile or web-based livestock entry can make it practical to record:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortality<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccination<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Movement<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daily farm activity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The relevant information can then become available to management and ERP processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Practical Pig Farm Example<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider an integrated pig business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed is purchased through Business Central.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stock is transferred to Farm A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The farm records feed consumption against a grower batch in NAVFarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The batch moves through the growing stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortality is recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight is captured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicine is consumed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, animals are sold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm maintains the biological and farm history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Central maintains purchase, inventory value, customer, sales, receivables and financial reporting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Management can review both production performance and profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Practical Cattle Example<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cattle business purchases animals from several suppliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commercial purchase is managed in Business Central.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At receipt, animals are registered in NAVFarm with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal ID<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RFID<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sex<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health information<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed, treatment, movement and weight are recorded during the animal lifecycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the animal is sold, the livestock record connects with the commercial sales process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This provides traceability from purchase to sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Should Be Decided Before Integration?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before implementation begins, the business should agree:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which system owns each master?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transactions originate in NAVFarm?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transactions originate in Business Central?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which transactions require integration?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How will errors be handled?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens if integration fails?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How frequently should data synchronize?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How will duplicate transactions be prevented?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which system is the final financial record?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These questions are more important than simply saying two systems will be integrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Look for in a Livestock ERP on Business Central<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evaluate whether the solution can support:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Livestock-specific operations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individual and batch animals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lifecycle stages<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mortality<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm inventory<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Costing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multi-farm operations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Central integration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial posting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dimensions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traceability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile data entry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Management reporting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central manage livestock farms?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Central provides strong ERP and financial capabilities, but livestock businesses may require additional farm-specific processes such as animal lifecycle, breeding, feed, health, weight and mortality management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does NAVFarm add to Business Central?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm provides livestock and farm operational processes that can work with Business Central’s purchasing, inventory, sales and finance capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do farm users need Business Central accounts?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That depends on the final architecture and licensing design. Farm users can work through the appropriate NAVFarm or integrated application interface while required transactions are exchanged with Business Central according to the solution design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can feed consumption from NAVFarm update ERP inventory?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, where included in the integration design, farm consumption can be connected with the relevant inventory process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can livestock sales connect with Business Central?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes. Animal or batch sales can connect with customer, invoicing, receivables and accounting processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can NAVFarm work for pig and cattle businesses?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NAVFarm can support livestock processes including pig and cattle operations, with the exact configuration based on the farm’s lifecycle and business requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm Operations and Finance Should Tell the Same Story<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A livestock company should not have one number at the farm and another number in finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The farm knows what happened to the animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finance knows what happened to the money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Management needs both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connecting NAVFarm with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central creates a structure where livestock operations can remain detailed and practical while purchasing, inventory, sales and finance remain under proper ERP control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For livestock businesses looking for Microsoft ERP without losing farm-specific functionality, this combination provides a practical path from animal operations to financial visibility.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\tBook a Free Demo<\/a>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Managing Animals and Managing Accounts Are Two Different Jobs A livestock business generates information at two very different levels. At the farm, teams work with: … Read More ›<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[170,265,186,172],"tags":[317,179,325],"class_list":["post-6157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-livestock-erp","category-livestock-farm-management-software","category-livestock-management","category-livestock-management-software","tag-crop-farming-software","tag-livestockmanagement","tag-smartfarming"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6157"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6157\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6159,"href":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6157\/revisions\/6159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navfarm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}