Things To Know About Livestock Scales As A New Rancher
When you're fairly new to livestock management, you probably know that your operation needs cattle scales, but the idea of investing in such a significant piece of equipment can be daunting. Since so much of your cattle's life, and eventual sale, will depend on their weight, it's essential that you have and use the right cattle scales for your herd. For those who are new to livestock scale investment in use, there are some things to keep in mind. Here's a look at some tips to help you get the most from your livestock scale choice and regular use.
Know Your Equipment Needs
The first thing you need to think about is what you actually need from your scales. For example, will you be weighing your cattle in the pasture wherever they happen to be grazing, or are you going to have a fixed location where they get weighed as you load them on the truck? It makes a difference because you may need portable scales as compared to stationary ones.
You should also think about whether or not you are looking for a scale system that will integrate with RFID tags on your cattle. If so, it will allow you to store weight information for reporting, monitoring, and trend identification.
Finally, make sure that you consider your typical weight range for the cattle or other livestock that you weigh. It's important that you choose scales that will read accurately at both the low and high end of the weight ranges for your livestock.
Make Sure Your Animals Are Safe
When you buy livestock scales, you should also make sure that they are properly installed in a way that will keep your livestock safe. Ask your scale supplier if they offer professional installation and setup. That way, you can be sure that the system is installed correctly. This not only ensures accurate readings, but also reduces the chances of any of your cattle being hurt.
In addition, you need to ensure that the onboarding and offboarding ramps, as well as the scale surface, are all treated with tread to preserve traction for your cattle so that you don't risk any slipping injuries. Remember that any injuries will lower the price you get per head, so take as many steps as possible to avoid it.
These are a couple of things you should understand about livestock scale selection and use. Talk with a supplier near you today for more help on cattle equipment for sale.