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Livestock scales are an integral part of farming as they are used for weighing animals and help farmers keep track of the weight of their animals, such as pigs, sheep, and cows.
These scales are essential for various reasons, such as animal health monitoring, and calculating food needs.
One popular option among farmers is Digi Star livestock scales, a company specializing in livestock scales for group weighing. They released a new system that includes all the necessary load cells and hardware to position under an existing livestock weighing platform.
This article will cover the basics of livestock scales and other relevant information. So, if you are eager to learn more about livestock scales, read the below post.
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What Is A Livestock Scale?
A livestock scale is used to weigh big animals like cows. These scales are either electronic or mechanical. They keep the animals safe during the weighing process. These scales are commonly found on ranches and farms, but they can also be spotted in places like animal rescues and zoos.
Livestock scales are much bigger than regular scales and feature a durable design. The parts are easy to clean and resistant to corrosion. The scale deck is made of different materials, allowing farmers to choose from a range of surfaces. The deck is where the animals stand and they are usually made of coated concrete, steel, or rubber.
These surfaces are designed to make animals feel safe and comfortable when they get weighed. The scale’s location is an important factor as it affects the performance. If a scale is placed outdoors, it gets dirty faster, requiring regular cleaning.
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There are many companies offering livestock scales, but Digi Star livestock scales are a prominent choice among farmers. They make sturdy and durable scales for group weighing.
Types Of Livestock Scales
Livestock scales come in different shapes and sizes, each designed for specific needs. There are three main types of livestock scales, including:
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Mobile Livestock Scales
These scales can be transported from one place to another with a pickup truck. Mobile scales are built tough, with steel sides and a rubberized deck to keep the animals safe. They hang on load cells at four points inside a mobile frame. When it’s time to move the animals, the cage locks down to prevent damage and wobbling during transport.
These scales are versatile and can withstand rough conditions. The air ride suspension system, allows you to adjust the air pressure to make them ready for action. The animals’ weight is measured by a simple lift/lower lever system.
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Portable Livestock Scales
These are portable scales that can be loaded onto flatbed trucks to weigh animals at different sites. Portable scales are used in site weighing and can handle harsh conditions.
These scales have pen sides and a deck, making loading and unloading animals easier. Farmers use this scale when they want to weigh animals in different places.
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Stationary Livestock Scales
These scales are not movable, meaning they stay put in one place. They come in different sizes and can weigh animals of various weights and sizes.
Compared to other scales, stationary scales are more accurate. They use modern electronic weighing technology and boast a sturdy design with steel I-Beams forming the weighbridge. These scales are ideal for farmers who have a fixed location for weighing their animals.
There’s a livestock scale for all situations, whether you are on the move or prefer a fixed location. These scales help farmers weigh animals and ensure their well-being.
What Makes A Livestock Scale?
A livestock scale consists of different parts, including a platform surrounded by fences. It is then placed on a sturdy frame supported by four load cells.
Portable scales come with an air suspension system that lowers and raises the scale, making it easy to load and unload animals. Most animal scales have pen-like structures that ensure the safety of animals during weighing.
These pen-style scales are available in portable, mobile, and stationary versions. Manufacturers also offer scales for both group and individual weighing. Farmers should choose a scale based on their requirements.
Digi Star livestock scales are one of the best options out there. The company manufactures high-quality scales that can withstand outdoor conditions.
Benefits Of Livestock Scales
Livestock scales offer many advantages compared to other heavy-duty scales when it comes to weighing animals.
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Accuracy
Livestock scales are extremely precise. Animal weights can vary, and therefore, having an accurate scale is vital for operations. Farmers maintain and calibrate scales for precise measurements.
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Customization
Many livestock scales are highly customizable to meet the specific needs of farmers. They can add accessories like portals, surfaces, digital indicators, and load bars to tailor the scale to their requirements.
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Durability
Livestock scales are sturdy and durable and can withstand harsh conditions and other challenges. These scales are more durable than industrial scales.
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Evaluation
Livestock scales can assess weights at various stages of an animal’s life. This data is used to calculate average daily weight gain (ADG), assess feedlots, and monitor daily weight increases (WDA). This helps farmers to gauge their livestock’s overall performance.
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User-Friendly
Livestock scales are easy to handle and require less effort. They often have built-in memory features, simplifying the weight-tracking process of different animals.
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Feed & Medicine Monitoring
Knowing the exact quantities of medicine and food when caring for livestock is crucial for their health. Livestock scales calculate the amount of medicine and feed required accurately, ensuring that the animals receive what they need.
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Ease of Use
These scales can be transported easily because they have concrete wood or flat decks. Many features, such as data collection and memory functions are designed with user-friendliness in mind.
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Animal Comfort
Livestock scales can accommodate different types of animals. Low-profile scales make loading and unloading animals easier due to their height.
Final Words
Livestock scales are valuable tools for livestock management. These scales are used by farmers to weigh their animals and ensure that they are well-fed. It helps farmers simplify the process of medicine and feed monitoring. These scales can be of different types and available in varying sizes and shapes. Livestock scales are user-friendly and require minimal effort to operate.
