A Bord Bia audit can feel like a big day on the farm – but it does not have to mean stress, late nights, or scrambling for paperwork.

Whether you are in the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS) or Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS), one thing is certain – farmers using Herdwatch, Ireland’s top livestock management software tool, are flying through audits with less hassle, zero paper, and total confidence.

Why your Bord Bia audit really matters

Your Bord Bia audit proves your farm meets the standards for traceability; animal welfare; sustainability; and food safety.

In plain terms, it protects your Bord Bia Quality Mark and the price you get for your produce.

It also supports Ireland’s global Origin Green reputation – which keeps Irish beef, lamb, and dairy in demand worldwide.

Failing or struggling through an audit can mean extra inspections and more paperwork; as well as added pressure and lost time.

Passing first time with clean records is the goal – and that is where Herdwatch makes life a lot easier.

What your Bord Bia auditor will look for (and how Herdwatch helps)

Bord Bia auditors are focused on traceability, accuracy, and consistency.

Here is what they will check – and how Herdwatch keeps you covered.

1. Animal remedies and health records

Auditors want to see every medicine and treatment recorded properly, including:

Date and name of medicine used;
Quantity administered;
ID of treated animals or group;
Withdrawal periods;
Name of person administering or vet prescribing;
Invoices, prescriptions and medicine store records.

With Herdwatch:

Log medicines in seconds on your phone as you treat;
Record batch numbers, doses, and animals treated;
Have all purchase history and treatments ready in one tap for the auditor.

2. Animal movements and identification

Auditors will check that all births, deaths, purchases, and sales match AIM data and your herd register.

They may also ask for: animal passports and tags; knackery receipts; and movement permits.

With Herdwatch:

Register calves instantly and stay AIM-synced automatically;
Record sales, purchases, deaths, and movements on the spot;
Generate instant movement reports for the auditor.

3. Breeding, calving and lambing records

They will expect clear records of:

Serving and artificial insemination (AI) dates;
Sires and expected due dates;
Calving and lambing outcomes;
Lambing numbers and parentage (for sheep).

With Herdwatch:

Track breeding, calving, and lambing from your phone;
See full history for each cow or ewe in a couple of taps;
Show the auditor exactly what they are looking for – without flicking through notebooks.

4. Weights and performance

Weight records are becoming more important, both for herd performance and compliance.

With Herdwatch:

Record weights quickly at housing, dosing or sale time;
Track performance and show proof of animal growth and management.

5. Feed, fertiliser, and sustainability

Under SDAS and SBLAS, you will also need records for:

Feed and fertiliser purchases and usage;
Grazing and land management;
Water, waste, and energy use;
Animal health and sustainability plans.

Auditors may also look at welfare and biosecurity – housing, bedding, pest control, and access to clean water.

With Herdwatch:

Log feed, fertiliser and field jobs in-app;
Keep everything together – no missing invoices, no lost diaries;
Show Bord Bia how you manage your farm, simply and clearly.

How to get Bord Bia ready – the smart way

You could wait for the audit letter and panic.

Or you can stay audit-ready all year with a few simple habits:

Keep records up to date – enter them as you go, not months later;
Double-check your medicines – make sure every treatment is logged fully;
Match movements with AIM – ensure Herdwatch and AIM line up;
Organise breeding, weights, and lambing – more detail = easier audit;
Run a pre-check – fix any gaps before the auditor steps on the yard.

With Herdwatch, most of this happens as part of your normal day’s work.

No more “I’ll write that down later” and hoping you remember.

How Herdwatch makes Bord Bia audits effortless

Instead of juggling notebooks, folders, scraps of paper, and AIM printouts, Herdwatch puts your entire farm in your pocket.

Using your phone, tablet, or computer, you can:

Record medicines, lambing, calf registrations, breeding, weights, and movements instantly;
Stay synced with AIM and keep your herd register accurate;
Generate instant Bord Bia reports tailored for SDAS and SBLAS;
Access everything on the Big Screen Web App for easy review before the audit;
Get a FREE Pre-Audit Check with a Herdwatch expert to make sure you are 100% ready before inspection day.

No paperwork. No panic. Just confidence when the auditor arrives at the yard.

Trusted by over 20,000 farmers in Ireland

More than 20,000 farmers already rely on Herdwatch to manage their records and compliance.

From dairy herds to beef and sheep farms, Herdwatch users say they:

Save hours every week on paperwork;
Feel more organised and in control;
Are far less stressed when the Bord Bia letter arrives.

If you are still doing everything on paper, you will notice the difference within days.

Black Friday Offer: 50% off – limited time only

There has never been a better time to get Bord Bia ready the easy way.

For a limited time only, Herdwatch is offering 50% OFF in their Black Friday Sale.

With this offer, you can:

Be Bord Bia ready in minutes, not months;
Say goodbye to farm paperwork;
Get expert support from the Herdwatch team whenever you need it.

Call 0505 34400 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) for more information.

Click here to redeem your offer today

Make your next Bord Bia audit the easiest one yet

Do not wait for the audit letter to land before you start tidying up paperwork.

Join thousands of farmers who are already Bord Bia ready with Herdwatch – and grab 50% off while the Black Friday offer lasts.

Call us on 0505 34400 for more information.

Click here to make compliance one less thing to worry about

Martin McKendry

NI agri career advice day on next Thursday