---
title: Transfer Animals from One Dairy to Another
slug: help/en-us/dairycomp/transfer-animals
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-01-26T11:43:17.774Z
---

<font color="#67854E">**Question**</font>: How can I transfer an animal (or a group of animals) from one dairy to another?

<font color="#67854E">**Answer**</font>: You can transfer animal records from one DairyComp system to another by creating a DNC file that contains all the stored information for the animals you want to transfer, and then importing that DNC file into the other DairyComp system.&#x20;

You can also transfer animals in PULSE if both the sender and receiver dairies have PULSE enabled. See [Transfer Animals](docId\:qGpSQ_Sd-nCd0FALx0-EZ) to learn more.

The DairyComp process involves two steps, explained below:

## Step 1: Create the DNC File Containing the Animals to Transfer

1. On the DairyComp system that contains the animals you want to transfer, locate the animals using the **SHOW** command with a **FOR** statement, as in these examples:
   - **SHOW** **ID** **FOR** **PEN=8**
   - **SHOW** **ID** **FOR** **COD1=5**
   - **SHOW** **ID** **FOR NOTE=SELL**

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The system will display a list of the animals to transfer.
:::

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/sa-P4vvUBNaznuVk-Sqp3_showcommand.png" size="32" width="920" height="394" position="flex-start" darkWidth="920" darkHeight="394" showCaption="false" indent="2"}

2. Once you have your list, remove **SHOW** **ID** and replace it wit&#x68;**&#x20;PUTCOW\I,** as in these examples:

   - **PUTCOW\I FOR** **PEN=8**
   - **PUTCOW\I FOR** **COD1=5**
   - **PUTCOW\I FOR** **NOTE=SELL**

   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/e00QONA0kB3jIfc8O_FHQ_putcowcommand.png" size="32" width="389" height="47" position="flex-start" darkWidth="389" darkHeight="47" showCaption="false"}

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The system opens the **Transport** window, where you can enter details for the transfer (see example in the next step).
:::

3. In the Transport window, enter parameters for transferring the animals per the guidelines below, then click **Start Export**.

   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/fUPP5fYO9hWXj6MIcV4_s_transportwindow.png" size="32" width="1191" height="556" position="flex-start" darkWidth="1191" darkHeight="556" showCaption="false"}

   - <font color="#67854E">**Destination HerdCode\:**</font> The Herdcode for the dairy you're moving the animal into. If you don't know the Herdcode, enter a random 8-digit number.
   - <font color="#67854E">**Export File Name\:**</font> Leave the default value for this field.
   - <font color="#67854E">**Output Folder\:**</font> The directory location for the exported DNC file. By default, the DNC file will be saved in C:\DairyComp.
   - <font color="#67854E">**Export Dead Cows\:**</font> Select to include records for dead animals.
   - <font color="#67854E">**Export Archive Records**</font>: Select to include previous lactation records (if available).

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Once the exported file is created, you'll see a confirmation message at the bottom of the Transport window, showing how many animals were included and the location where the DNC file was saved (see example above). (If you chose to export archive records, the number of animals exported will be higher.)
:::

4. Go to the folder where the DNC file was saved. You can now copy the DNC file to a USB memory stick or email it to the dairy where the animals are moving.

   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/FCOfrujtllAn-ddL9N4ve_savedfolder.png" size="32" width="988" height="319" position="flex-start" darkWidth="988" darkHeight="319" showCaption="false"}

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   **TIP:&#x20;**&#x53;ort files by *Date Modified* to easily find the latest DNC file.
   :::

## Step 2: Import the DNC File into the Other DairyComp Dairy

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<font color="#F97316">**IMPORTANT**</font>**:&#x20;**&#x42;efore importing the DNC file, you should create a backup of the existing DairyComp system you're importing into. If you're not sure how to make a backup, you can find instructions in [Step 2 of the FAQ for moving DC305 to a new computer](docId\:KlYUAjxjhk6pCDc6TSmxj).
:::

1. Copy the DNC file that was created in [Step 1: Create the DNC File Containing the Animals to Transfer ](docId\:A6gvpGg7c-YuiHp0IqhCX) into the C:\DairyComp folder for the DairyComp system you're importing the animals into.
2. In the command line, ente&#x72;**&#x20;GETCOW\I** to display a list of available DNC files.

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If you created the DNC file with the Herdcode for the dairy you're importing into, it will automatically appear in the list.
If you don’t see your DNC file in the list, check the **Show ALL DNC Files** box on the right side of the Transport window to display all the DNC files in the DairyComp folder that exist with a different Herdcode. In this case, click **OK** to accept the message that cautions you about importing DNC files without your herdcode.
If you saved the DNC file somewhere else, click **Change Folder** and select the appropriate location.
:::

3. Select the DNC file to import, then click **Select this File** to open the file in the Transport window.
4. In the Transport window, click **Review** to display the list of animals to be imported.

   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/FmhoFIPSiPGbFPsH6ySgq_transportreviewwindow.png" size="32" width="1321" height="549" position="flex-start" darkWidth="1321" darkHeight="549" showCaption="false"}

   1. Under the **If ID Exists** area, choose an option for handling animals that share the same IDs as animals already at the dairy. You can choose to add a new assigned ID, replace the existing animal, or skip them all together. If you choose to add a new assigned ID, then any duplicate animal IDs will be given a new number and displayed in the **Added As** column.
   2. To exclude any animals from being imported, uncheck their boxes in the **Import?** column.
5. Click the **Settings** tab and set the following parameters.

   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/bAG8VgM2lAIUCu8vJ5guF_transportsettingstab.png" size="32" width="843" height="560" position="flex-start" darkWidth="843" darkHeight="560" showCaption="false"}

   - <font color="#67854E">**Accept Incoming Protocol Numbers**</font>: Leave this unchecked.
   - <font color="#67854E"> **options for herd**</font>: Choose an option for the EDAT you want to assign the new animals.
   - <font color="#67854E">**Date Item\:**</font> Leave the default value of None.
   - <font color="#67854E">**Pen options\:**</font> Check the **Import pen from incoming file** box, or enter the number for the pen you want the animals to go into.
6. Click **Start Import**.
   When the import process completes, the system displays a message indicating the number of animals imported.

   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3h8pSJcGUXEi4HGCCYPTA/wFBI5-VGGKL8pDApBlUai_importresults.png" size="32" width="814" height="116" position="flex-start" darkWidth="814" darkHeight="116" showCaption="false"}

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Now you can display a list of the imported animals using the EDAT and PEN values you assigned them, as in this example:
**SHOW** **ID** **FOR** **EDAT=yourselecteddate PEN=yourselectedpen**
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