QUESTION: We want to weigh our new born Lowlines but haven't the faintest idea what equipment is needed? Can you help us please?
ANSWER from Tammy Breuer.
For new calves I find the simplest and cheapest way is to use bathroom scales.
You will need bathroom scales and a flat board at least 60 cm x 60 cm.
Take the scales and the board into the paddock.
Place the board on the ground then place the scales on the board.
Hop onto the scales and make a note of your weight.
Quietly approach the calf, remembering to reassure the cow that you are not going to hurt it.
Catch it with a firm hold, then hop onto the scales. Note your combined weight.
Put the calf down, return to the scale and recheck your own weight, in case things moved around while you were weighing the calf. Deduct your weight from the combined weight to get the calf's weight.
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Here Tammy Breuer and new calf balance on bathroom scales to record the calf's weight.
There are special scales for weighing calves, of course, but unless you're disgustingly rich, why waste the money?
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The more information that you can collect about your cattle that is factual rather than anecdotal the better. Industry standards for weighing cattle would normally be at birth, at 100 days, at 200 days, at weaning, at 400 days, at 600 days.
You should also do mature cow weight. The right time is within two weeks of the 200 day weighing of the calf.
As to how to weigh older animals, there are a number of different methods available.
Livestock scales are sold by most produce/livestock supply stores and will vary in price as they grow in sophistication. Base price for a new indicator and weigh bars would start at around $AU2,000 but second hand ones do become available from time to time.
Another option would be to see if you could use a neighbour's scale. I have even heard of breeders who, needing a weight for their bull, loaded him onto the trailer, took it over a weigh bridge then reweighed the trailer empty.
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There are also weight tapes which are an estimate only but can produce quite accurate weights in the hands of someone with experience. The animals heart girth (chest diameter) and condition are combined to estimate the weight which can also be modified according to the animals length relative to others of its breed. |
Using a weight tape for growth records is better than keeping no weight records because you will be able to see the animals growth curve compared to others in your herd.
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