How do you measure cattle for weight?

Answer 1

There are two methods: You can either use a weight tape, or a scale. For show cattle, the former is a handy tool, however for cattle that you can't get near enough or settled enough to get a tape around--or even are too big for a weigh tape--a weigh scale specially made for weighing cattle on is ideal. A weigh scale can be put in with the handling facility right near the squeeze chute so you can weigh cattle before they go in to get their vaccinations.

The way the weigh scale works is that it is essentially a pen with two gates--one at each end--for one animal to be held in for a few seconds and is attached to the race or working alley of a handling facility. The animal is moved into this little enclosure, the gate shut behind it, then the producer waits for a few seconds to get a reading on the scale. Once the reading is taken, the gate at the animal's head is opened to allow it through and continue on either out to pasture or to the squeeze chute.