The PastureMap team recommends performing all major mapping of your ranch to be completed using a computer with a mouse, as you will have more control over boundary placement, creating your permanent internal boundaries, and the ability to upload a KML file of your ranch.
Additionally, your local county appraiser’s website may allow you to download a KML of your property.
What is a KML?
Keyhole Markup Language, or KML, is a digital mapping file format that is used to display geographic data using polygon shapes. If you receive an error when uploading your KML file, it is because there are one to all polygons missing. If you need assistance, please contact support with your parcel IDs.
Mapping on PastureMap+
- Using the magnifying glass, enter the address of your ranch and allow it to locate your property.
- Click on the big, orange square in the bottom right corner, select Draw Pasture, click on the map to draw the external boundary of your entire property.
- After you have drawn the entire exterior of your property, name your pasture, and save it.
- Next, click on the pasture, and select the subdivide button.
- Begin drawing your permanent internal boundaries, ensuring the subdivision lines completely intersect with each other. Proper subdivision intersections will make the pasture change colors. Please review the Subdivision article for more information.
- After all internal boundaries have been identified and saved, click on a subdivision and select convert to pasture.
- Finally, when converting all of the subdivisions to pastures, rename the subdivisions to the name you and team call the pastures. Using the same naming convention will ensure clear communication between you and your team.
Mapping on PastureMap (desktop)
When mapping your property on the desktop, hello.pasturemap.com/login, you have two options.
Option 1:
- Upload the KML file of your property.
- If all permanent internal boundaries are already identified and pastures are named correctly, you are finished with mapping at this point. If not, please continue to step 2.
- After successfully uploading the exterior boundaries of your property:
- Select the property, in the item summary’s top right corner select the pencil and Adjust Boundaries, then zoom in on your exterior boundaries to ensure they are on your fence lines. Once completed, click the green save button.
- Next, select the property so the item summary opens and select Subdivide. Begin mapping out your internal boundaries. Once completed, click save. (Successful subdivisions will make the original pasture’s color change.)
- After all internal boundaries have been mapped and saved, click on a subdivision to open the item summary, and then locate the convert to pasture button.
- Rename the pastures to what you call them for the best experience and ensure clear communication with you and your team.
Option 2:
- Manually draw the exterior boundary of your entire property and save the pasture.
- Select the property, in the item summary’s top right corner select the pencil and Adjust Boundaries, then zoom in on your exterior boundaries to ensure they are on your fence lines. Once completed, click the green save button.
- Next, select the property so the item summary opens and select Subdivide. Begin mapping out your internal boundaries. Once completed, click save. (Successful subdivisions will make the original pasture’s color change.)
- After all internal boundaries have been mapped and saved, click on a subdivision to open the item summary, and then locate the convert to pasture button.
- Rename the pastures to what you call them for the best experience and ensure clear communication with you and your team.
If you have non-contiguous pastures, you will repeat the above process until you have mapped your entire ranch.