---
title: New to herd management software?
slug: pl-check-links/new-to-herd-management-software
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-02-23T07:45:07.630Z
---

We appreciate that you chose PULSE to manage your herd! Expand the topics below to become familiar with the concepts of herd management:

:::ExpandableHeading
## CowCards & items

A PULSE CowCard contains detailed status and event information about each animal in your herd, including reproduction status and days in milk, as well as any milk and meat withholds. Use CowCards to quickly access animal details.

![](https://api.qa.archbee.co/api/optimize/zICxj0dnLereb6UUrBA3-/VRRdQAhwPRoAkCKqhKR-c_cowcard-overview.png)

CowCards use the following common terms, which are known as "items" in PULSE: 

- LACT: Lactation number
- RPRO: Reproductive code (or status)
- DIM: Days in milk in current lactation
- DSLH: Days since last heat
- DCC: Days carrying calf/pregnant
- DUE: Date due to freshen (if pregnant)

See [View Animal Details on CowCards](docId\:aXmnESlp3JZDTmXUhwV96) to learn more!
:::

:::ExpandableHeading
## Adding animal events

PULSE events capture key animal activities, including reproduction-related items (freshening, pregnancy, breeding), location information (movement between pens), and illness details (diagnoses, treatment) that are vital to managing your herd. You can add animal events from web or mobile.
:::

:::ExpandableHeading
## What are reports and worklists?

You can use PULSE to generate reports, which are important analysis tools that allow you to identify animals that meet specific conditions. For instance, you may be interested in capturing a list of cows that are due to freshen soon. To do that, select FeedWatch** > **Reports/Worklists** > Template **Gallery and customize the *Animals Due to *Freshen report. Note that reports are shaded in **blue** and worklist A worklist is a structured list of tasks or animals requiring attention, typically used to organize and prioritize work. In PULSE and the mobile app, worklists identify animals that need to be seen by dairy workers or animal health experts for specific reasons, such as pregnancy checks or treatment in a hospital pen.s are shaded in **green**.

![](https://api.qa.archbee.co/api/optimize/zICxj0dnLereb6UUrBA3-/VTubcMYDJBbh-6ZTbjBH4_run-report-see-results.png)

You can also use PULSE to generate worklist A worklist is a structured list of tasks or animals requiring attention, typically used to organize and prioritize work. In PULSE and the mobile app, worklists identify animals that need to be seen by dairy workers or animal health experts for specific reasons, such as pregnancy checks or treatment in a hospital pen.s, which help you track hands-on tasks that need to be done at your dairy.

Worklists capture specific actions that need to be applied to your animals, and allow you to mark animals as **DONE** when you've completed your task. For instance, you may want to go check on animals that recently freshened. To do that, select FeedWatch** > **Worklists** > **Dairy Reports/Worklists, run the *Recently *Fresh* Cows*worklist A worklist is a structured list of tasks or animals requiring attention, typically used to organize and prioritize work. In PULSE and the mobile app, worklists identify animals that need to be seen by dairy workers or animal health experts for specific reasons, such as pregnancy checks or treatment in a hospital pen. report, and click the **Create Open Worklist** button to create an open worklist.

![](https://api.qa.archbee.co/api/optimize/zICxj0dnLereb6UUrBA3-/wuVOAWhu5wOjmZXFnUl79_create-worklist-see-results.png)

Then, process animals in the list using the mobile app while out on the farm and use PULSE to track worklist A worklist is a structured list of tasks or animals requiring attention, typically used to organize and prioritize work. In PULSE and the mobile app, worklists identify animals that need to be seen by dairy workers or animal health experts for specific reasons, such as pregnancy checks or treatment in a hospital pen. progress.

![](https://api.qa.archbee.co/api/optimize/zICxj0dnLereb6UUrBA3-/jJnCmihcG3C83KTf0raVC_create-worklist-process-mobile.png)

Many worklist A worklist is a structured list of tasks or animals requiring attention, typically used to organize and prioritize work. In PULSE and the mobile app, worklists identify animals that need to be seen by dairy workers or animal health experts for specific reasons, such as pregnancy checks or treatment in a hospital pen.s can be created from the **Template **Gallery page in PULSE. See [Reports/Worklists](docId\:cYYtcHG1ARWwRqudnZuBn) to learn more!
:::

:::ExpandableHeading
## What's the difference between reports and worklists?

The main difference is that worklists are actionable, while reports are for informational purposes only. Use worklist A worklist is a structured list of tasks or animals requiring attention, typically used to organize and prioritize work. In PULSE and the mobile app, worklists identify animals that need to be seen by dairy workers or animal health experts for specific reasons, such as pregnancy checks or treatment in a hospital pen.s to complete tasks, such as animal checks or treatments, and reports to analyze different aspects of your herd and to drive management decisions.
:::

[\< Return to Getting Started](docId:7do6c_5L1k8NnKwn41gTq)