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Preparation is vital to ensure weighing goes smoothly, for both animal and farmer. Ensure that your yard and handling facilities are clean and properly set up. It is worth considering gut fill when weighing cattle – a 500kg animal could be carrying 30-40kg of feed when full. Be consistent – if you started weighing cattle full, continue doing so, and vice versa.
Check the accuracy of the weighing scale using a known weight such as a factory-filled meal bag or even yourself. Ensure the scale resets to 0 after each weighing (above left). A simple stand for the scale’s monitor can be very useful. The stand will prevent the monitor getting damaged during use and it has the added benefit of holding it at a suitable height for ease of reading (above right).
As always, be safe when handling cattle. Special caution should be taken when letting cattle straight out of a shed. Cattle flow will be interrupted if they see shadows or movements up ahead, so stock panels on gates and barriers can help in low winter sun. Avoid rattling chains and gates also.
During weighing it is a good idea to have straw on hand. Often, stock will be hesitant to mount the scales and disguising the step with straw can speed up the process (above). If possible, have the previous weights of your cattle on the recording sheet. This way, you’ll immediately be able to evaluate your animal’s performance and identify any underperforming or sick cattle.
The most important part: use the data. Log the recorded weights and analyse them to make better management decisions. What cattle are performing the best and why? Are they in a separate shed? On different silage? From five-star cows? Bought from a certain farm? On a different dosing regime?
Likewise, look at the lighter animals and ascertain why they’re back on where they should be.
Regular weighing is a must
Justin Walsh, weighing technician with the ICBF and Co Meath suckler farmer, recommends weighing cattle at least twice a year. He says regular weighing will help to:
Meet targets for your stock.
Conform to factory carcase specifications or identify animals suitable for live selling.
Identify health problems by flagging non-performing animals or groups.
Indicate if changes in the animals’ diet need to be made during either summer grazing or winter feeding.
“No matter how good a judge of stock you are, you’re not more accurate than a weighing scale.
“What business doesn’t have an accurate idea of what they’re producing until sale day?
“Weighing is a must.”
Watch the video online along with farmer testimonials on the importance of weighing cattle.
Preparation is vital to ensure weighing goes smoothly, for both animal and farmer. Ensure that your yard and handling facilities are clean and properly set up. It is worth considering gut fill when weighing cattle – a 500kg animal could be carrying 30-40kg of feed when full. Be consistent – if you started weighing cattle full, continue doing so, and vice versa.
Check the accuracy of the weighing scale using a known weight such as a factory-filled meal bag or even yourself. Ensure the scale resets to 0 after each weighing (above left). A simple stand for the scale’s monitor can be very useful. The stand will prevent the monitor getting damaged during use and it has the added benefit of holding it at a suitable height for ease of reading (above right).
As always, be safe when handling cattle. Special caution should be taken when letting cattle straight out of a shed. Cattle flow will be interrupted if they see shadows or movements up ahead, so stock panels on gates and barriers can help in low winter sun. Avoid rattling chains and gates also.
During weighing it is a good idea to have straw on hand. Often, stock will be hesitant to mount the scales and disguising the step with straw can speed up the process (above). If possible, have the previous weights of your cattle on the recording sheet. This way, you’ll immediately be able to evaluate your animal’s performance and identify any underperforming or sick cattle.
The most important part: use the data. Log the recorded weights and analyse them to make better management decisions. What cattle are performing the best and why? Are they in a separate shed? On different silage? From five-star cows? Bought from a certain farm? On a different dosing regime?
Likewise, look at the lighter animals and ascertain why they’re back on where they should be.
Regular weighing is a must
Justin Walsh, weighing technician with the ICBF and Co Meath suckler farmer, recommends weighing cattle at least twice a year. He says regular weighing will help to:
Meet targets for your stock.
Conform to factory carcase specifications or identify animals suitable for live selling.
Identify health problems by flagging non-performing animals or groups.
Indicate if changes in the animals’ diet need to be made during either summer grazing or winter feeding.
“No matter how good a judge of stock you are, you’re not more accurate than a weighing scale.
“What business doesn’t have an accurate idea of what they’re producing until sale day?
“Weighing is a must.”
Watch the video online along with farmer testimonials on the importance of weighing cattle.
Practising self-care over the twelve days of Christmas can help to set us up for the new year, writes Nessa Robins.
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The most important part: use the data. Log the recorded weights and analyse them to make better management decisions. What cattle are performing the best and why? Are they in a separate shed? On different silage? From five-star cows? Bought from a certain farm? On a different dosing regime? 
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