The Changing Face of Field Management

Posted on: 17 November 2022

If you only need to weigh one animal at a time, then single-animal livestock scales are a good investment. Small farms, hobby farms, and farms with small numbers of livestock don't always need scales that can weigh multiple animals at the same time.

Before you choose which scales to buy, make sure that they do everything you need. For example, look for scales with the following features:

1. Appropriate Weight Readings

Some farmers have simple weighing needs. They simply need to monitor the weight of each of their animals. However, your weighing needs are different if you ever sell livestock. You can't simply tell a buyer how much an animal weighs or even show them on your scales. You might need to produce a Legal for Trade weight measurement.

These measurements have to come from approved machines that are calibrated to accurate and standardized measurements. They tell buyers exactly how much an animal weighs so that they get a guarantee that they are paying the right price for it.

So, if you will sell livestock, then it pays to buy scales that meet Legal Trade standards. You won't miss out on sales because you can't provide the right information to potential buyers.

2. Security Features

While you can buy open stand-alone scales, models with bars or enclosures are often a more sensible choice. Animals won't necessarily stay still on a set of scales if they can move off them. You might find it hard to get an accurate reading if they can move around too easily.

Plus, your safety might be compromised if an animal gets spooked when you weigh it. You might get injured if a large animal tries to bolt off the scales.

If your scales have an enclosure or bars, then your livestock has to stay in place until you weigh them. Your measurements will be more accurate. Plus, you don't have to worry about controlling animals during the process.

3. Animal Comfort

Some animals don't like standing on scales. If they don't feel comfortable, they could get anxious and stressed. Some scales are noisy to walk on; they feel different from standing on the ground. This can spook some animals.

To make things more comfortable for your livestock, look for scales that have additional comfort features. For example, you can buy products that have padded or noise-reducing floors. These floors feel more stable and make less noise, and your animals are less likely to have problems walking on them.

To see some examples of single animal scales, contact livestock scales suppliers.