How to Make Your Livestock Scale Last

Your livestock scale in Montana is an important investment in your business. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to use conventional scales and equipment to weigh livestock.

For higher accuracy, convenience and ease, as well as precision in measurement, animals such as cattle, horses and sheep should be weighed on a specialized livestock scale. With an investment like this, you want to maintain it. Here are some key components to keep in mind.

Choosing the right scale

You’ll want to make sure you’re using the right scale for the task. You can get a livestock scale in Montana in numerous sizes, designs, display types and weight ranges. The weight average, holding and electronic identification should all be listed by the manufacturer on the scale.

Your goals and what you plan to use the scale for will determine the scale you choose. Are you monitoring your animals for weight gain, feed efficiency or dosage? Understanding the information you need from the scale will help determine which display you’ll choose. The size, type and specification of the scale should match your usage to prevent damage.

Setting up your livestock scale

When using a livestock scale in Montana, you want to get the most precise and efficient reading you can. The best way to make this happen is to properly install your scale.

If you’re likely to always weigh in the same location, you might consider a permanent scale. That way, once it’s set up, you never have to worry about moving it. Install it on firm, level ground so it won’t shift or move while in use and can be ready at any time.

However, if your weighing location will be on pasture ground or gravel or might move from time to time, a portable scale is recommended.

If your scale is electronic, you’ll want to make sure a power source is within reach of your selected installation location and that the location is dry and covered. Make sure to keep power cords out of the way of animals, as well. If you have load cell cables, make sure they’re in the right spot so you get an accurate and safe reading. They should be positioned straight from the load cells under the platform and then mounted to be out of the way of animals.

Proper maintenance of livestock scales

To properly maintain your equipment and keep it working well, you’ll want to keep it free of debris. This will also ensure accurate readings. Also, you’ll want to get your scale calibrated regularly. Contact your scale service provider for information about calibration.

Another important part of weighing is keeping your livestock as stress-free as possible. Stress during weighing can actually cause your livestock to lose weight. In fact, cattle can lose up to 0.5 percent of their weight every 30 minutes spent sorting and loading. Plan the weighing process so you can move through it quickly.

For unparalleled expertise, tenured capabilities and a full-service approach to delivering weight and measurement solutions, there’s no better name than Rockwell scales. If you’re looking for an installation and service provider for your livestock scale in Montana, give us a call today for more information.

Categorised in: Livestock Scales

This post was written by Writer