Do you have the right tools in place to accurately monitor the growth and progress of your livestock? Measuring animals is one of the most important parts of farm management, but it comes as no surprise that, when dealing with less than cooperative critters, this can often pose a significant challenge. Livestock scales help to eliminate the many hurdles that come with weighing animals and makes staying on top of your daily operations simple. As one of Western Canada’s leading sources for weighing solutions, Accurate Scale is proud to offer game-changing solutions, including Rice Lake’s line of farm bars, portable and stationary livestock scales. If you’ve been looking to integrate additional livestock solutions into your resources, below are a few key tips to help you make the most out of your investment in a livestock scale.
1. Making the Right Selection
Purchasing any kind of industrial-scale is always a significant investment, and one of the best ways you can set yourself up for success is to ensure that you’re choosing the right fit for your specific needs. Partner with an experienced provider and considering the following when making your selection:
- Primary use
- Secondary app application(s) (if applicable)
- The location you plan on installing
- What kind of livestock you have
- Whether or not you need a portable solution
Refining your needs will make it much easier to find the right fit for your exact usage. Remember to think with the future in mind as well, and keep in mind any limitations you may face with you your location to avoid headaches down the line.
2. Placement
Placement is one of the most important aspects to consider when setting up your scale, and plays a large role in guaranteeing the safety of your animals while weighing. Make sure you choose a firm and stable surface that prevents the unit from shifting during use. Doing so will both ensure accurate readings and help avoid the possibility of injuries due to your animals slipping and falling. With this being said, it is worth noting that your surface doesn’t need to be perfectly level, meaning you can use it on gravel surfaces as needed so long as it is level and firm enough to hold and balance your livestock while they are being weighed.
3. Always Check for Interference
Weighing animals is not a perfect science and the reality is that livestock scales can sometimes encounter interference that skews results, either from the animals themselves or the environment. When weighing, ensure that you constantly look for obstructions such as, larger rocks, and other kinds of debris that may pose a problem for accurate results. Load cells can also cause issues if their cables become twisted or tangled, so general maintenance and on-site upkeep is essential for consistent accuracy.
Looking For More Information on Agricultural Scales?
Accurate Scale has you covered! Contact us today to learn more about our inventory as well as our full-scale calibration and repair services.