We’re back in the middle of bull sales season, so buying new cattle weighing scales to improve your farming operation may be top of mind. With so many weighing systems and EID tag readers available, you may find yourself asking, which unit is right for you? Here at Farmquip, we have a large range of weighing units, plus all the load bars and equipment you need, so we understand it can be hard to decide what will suit you best. Let’s break it down to make selecting new scales easier.
What features will you need?
Today’s cattle weighing scales understandably do much more than measure weight alone. Working in conjunction with the EID tag reader, they allow you to develop a comprehensive history of each animal by recording weight, breed, gender, pregnancy, calving and more.
This information is crucial to modern farming operations for developing animal management plans and other strategic reporting systems for each business. The ability to record the entire history of the animal during handling can add efficiencies to your operation, such as better product management. Some cattle weighing scales also include alerting, which makes managing animal treatments easier and more efficient. Overall, these features all contribute to better animal health and welfare.
What data history and connectivity do you need?
Today’s cattle weighing scales are essentially specialised computers. Like the computer in your office, you’ll need to decide how much data you want to store locally on your scales. A unit with a larger memory can store data over a span of years, allowing you to make easy comparisons when you’re out in the yards handling the animals.
Next you’ll need to decide if you want to use that data for remote animal management. There are many scales that allow you to download and transfer data, connect to a smart device in real time, transfer data by Wi-Fi, or store your data in the cloud. If your data is valuable to your operation, cloud storage adds peace of mind for backups. Plus, you can access your data any time, from anywhere with an internet connection.
Do you use EID readers?
EID readers make identifying animals from their tag so much easier and reduce manual data entry errors during weighing. If you use stick or panel readers, or want to incorporate them into your operation, you’ll need scales and readers that are compatible with each other.
Do you use auto-drafting in your operation?
If you do, then you’ll want scales that support this process. Cattle auto-drafting allows farmers to manage animals more efficiently, reduces stress for the animals and increases efficiency. It’s a process that separates cattle based on the criteria you set, such as weight, gender or groups. Having this efficiency at the weigh station streamlines the process, allowing you to handle large mobs quickly.
What level of technical support will you need?
Everyone has different levels of skill with managing technical issues. If you’re good at following manuals and guides, you probably won’t need high-level technical support. If you’re not technically minded, you’ll probably want better support. So, these are also considerations when choosing your scales, as every product has different levels of support.
Need more help to choose the right scales?
If you need more information or help choosing the right cattle weighing scales for your farming operation, give our friendly team a call. We’re always happy to talk through the options. Contact Us.