How To Choose Livestock Scales

Whether you're calculating medication doses for your livestock or you're preparing them for sale, knowing their weight at any given time is an essential part of your operation. The best way to ensure that you know your livestock's exact weight at any given time is to invest in a set of livestock scales. Before buying the first thing you come across, it's important that you take some time to consider what you really need. Here's a look at what you need to know to help you select the right livestock scales for your operation.

Fixed Or Mobile

The first decision that you need to make is what type of scales you'll need. You can choose from fixed scales or a mobile system. Fixed scales are usually installed on a level surface with a concrete foundation. You'll have to establish an area where your livestock must be herded for weigh-ins to use this type of scale.

Mobile scales, on the other hand, are designed to be portable. You can take them to any pasture or barn to weigh animals as needed. This can save you time trying to herd the animals to your scales, allowing you to get far more done in the same amount of time.

Weight Capacity

The next thing that you need to think about when you're investing in livestock scales is the weight capacity that you need. Think about the maximum anticipated weight that you'll have to record, which means thinking about whether you'll be weighing only one animal at a time or also assessing the herd weight. Make sure that any scale you choose has the capacity to handle the maximum weight that you anticipate needing to measure.

Scale Style

Once you've found the right type and capacity for your scales, you'll need to decide if you need a digital or mechanical scale. Mechanical scales are often more costly to produce and can suffer wear over time. That wear can cause your mechanical scales to become inaccurate. Digital scales, on the other hand, are far more precise and often more affordable to acquire.

If you want the ability to incorporate your livestock scales with your herd management system, opt for an electronic scale that will integrate into the platform. That way, you can simplify your record-keeping by having your weight information linked directly to the database.

These are some of the most important things for you to consider when you invest in livestock scales. Talk with a supplier near you today for more details.