LIVESTOCK SCALES

Rugged & Built to Last a Lifetime.

Livestock scales are a must for anyone involved with livestock and livestock management. Whether you’re a farmer, veterinarian, rancher, or show manager, having a rugged and reliable weighing system is critical. Kanawha Scales & Systems offers livestock scales and the accompanying systems that are built to last. Weights are accurate and dependable as well as legal for trade. The livestock scales and systems we offer are economical and available models include single weigh and group weigh options.

Introduction to Livestock Scales

Having accurate measurements for the weight of cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and other livestock is critical for modern food production as well as veterinary science. This means a livestock scale is an important piece of equipment for farmers and veterinarians. These scales are built to allow animals to be herded directly onto the deck of the scale for fast and convenient weighing. They’re also built to be extremely robust and durable, which is important given that live animals will be loaded onto the deck. However, they also need to be precision instruments capable of providing highly accurate measurements. Accurate scales are crucial not only for representing the true weight of livestock before sale, but also in assessing animals’ health and well-being. Whether using mechanical or electronic means, an animal scale of this type should be able to provide the user with the most reliable weight.

Choosing the Right Livestock Scales for Your Needs

When choosing a scale, you should begin by assessing your needs. If you need a scale for weighing animals at the end of a squeeze chute, for example, you’ll want to consider a permanent installation. There are portable options available if you need to weigh animals in multiple locations or don’t have the space on your property for a full-time solution.

The next step is determining whether you need a single animal livestock scale or one capable of weighing multiple animals at the same time. This often comes down to the size and scope of your operations and the space you have available. Aside from these considerations, you also may want to think about a padded deck for the comfort of the animals and advanced features such as wireless connectivity for sharing data.

Integrating Livestock Scales With Farm Management Systems

Like most agricultural technology available today, many livestock scales come with advanced connectivity features that allow the information they collect to be fed to farm management software. This means operators can get reliable, accurate weighing with the data being sent automatically to their software platform of choice. Using the insights they gain from that information, they can be more effective at monitoring the health of their animals and make better-informed decisions about feed and any medications they might use. Scales that feature this functionality should come with detailed instructions about how to integrate the equipment into an existing management system to help streamline operations.

The Benefits of Portable and Multi-Species Scales

Having flexibility can be extremely valuable when dealing with livestock. This is why many choose portable scales that can be relocated around their properties with relative ease. Many livestock scales today also offer the ability to adjust the settings for different species. With adaptable weighing solutions for cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and other animals, users can track figures for individual animal populations on their farms or for their veterinary practices.

Understanding Scale Calibration and Maintenance

Scales of any type need to be properly calibrated and maintained on a regular basis to ensure accurate weighing, and livestock scales are no different. Most commonly users calibrate their scales with the use of standardized calibration weights. When placed on the bed of a scale, the reading should be exactly as much as labeled on the weight itself. Beyond that, keeping scales in good working order includes inspecting them for signs of wear or damage and lubricating any moving parts. Debris should be cleaned off the deck before each use, as any rocks, dirt or manure on it will affect the measurement.

Livestock Health Monitoring Through Weighing

An accurate measurement of an animal’s weight is an important indicator of its health. Keeping track of how the animal’s weight may fluctuate can provide an early warning sign of disease as well as how much it should eating. Modern livestock scales can export data to a farm management system, making it easy for farmers, ranchers or veterinarians to assess any changes in the animal’s health over time. These platforms often provide advanced analytics to help users plan targeted interventions and make adjustments in care to improve animals’ welfare.

Kanawha Scales & Systems Is Your Full-Service Supplier

When it comes to finding the most accurate scales for weighing livestock, Kanawha Scales & Systems has the solutions you need. We carry a wide range of agricultural scales used for weighing animals. Whether you operate a farm, ranch, veterinary clinic or livestock show, you can trust us to help you choose the scale that makes the most sense for your needs. We also stock smaller solutions including bench scales and more to support virtually all aspects of livestock care. To learn more about everything we can provide for the agricultural industry, reach out and speak with a member of our team today.