How Much Do Livestock Scales Cost?

Understanding Livestock Scales

Livestock scale systems are a very important part of our food production process. There are many types of livestock scales to consider and they vary based on the application requirements. When considering the purchase of livestock scales, accuracy is paramount and can potentially cost you a lot in lost profits over time. Scale manufacturers try to create scales that can handle the requirements of farming. Weight is an important factor in food production. Owning a livestock scale can be a large undertaking, and there are a lot of important factors that need to be considered before you go along with a purchase. Depending on the type of scale, size and components, a livestock scale can cost anywhere from $2,000 to over $40,000 depending on the aforementioned factors. This article will go over the things to consider while searching for your next livestock scale as well as a cost breakdown of what you can expect when purchasing a livestock scale.

Note: This article will only focus on legal for trade livestock scales. We will not have anything non legal for trade in this article. 

TYPES OF LIVESTOCK SCALES

Mobile Livestock ScalesMobile animal scales (MAS) are designed to be transported to the location of the animals to be weighed. The scales are designed with durability in mind. These scales will also be equipped with steel pens suspended on load cells.There is also a cage that is installed to help keep the animals safe and locked in during transport. This cage can be locked down to the frame while transporting the animals. The reasoning for this design is because it prevents cage movement and load cell damage during transport. The mobile livestock scale is a good choice if you have to actually go to the animals yourself. 

Portable Livestock ScalesPortable Animal Scales (PAS) are designed to be transported to various weighing sites. The majority of portable livestock scales are suitable to be used in harsh and unpredictable conditions of multiple site weighing. They can have a deck and a pen side for a smoother loading and unloading process for the animals.

Stationary Livestock ScalesStationary Animal scales (SAS) are designed to be set up at one location, to which the animals can be guided to the scale to be weighed. One thing to note about stationary livestock scales is that they're available in a myriad of sizes to hold the amount of livestock you need to be weighed.  The cool thing about stationary scales is that they combine the accuracy of fully electronic weighing technology coupled with steel weighbridge designs that are typically found in truck scales.

WHAT INFLUENCES THE PRICE?

Livestock scale pricing has a myriad of factors that influence the overall cost of owning the scale. You have to ask yourself several questions. What are you using the scale for? The weighing applications involved also will affect the price. Do you need a single animal livestock scale or multiple animals? Is the scale going to be stationary, portable or mobile? These are just some of the things that will influence the price of your scale. Below is a breakdown of what goes into the pricing when you are optioning out your scale. 

• Scale Size: The size of the scale will be the biggest contributing factor to the price. You have to look at if you want a single animal scale or if you want a scale that can weigh multiple livestock at once. The size of the scale will need to be known before you can move further with the other options. Single animal scales tend to have the steel deck dimensions of 3’x8’ and 4’x8, while multiple animal scales will have dimensions of 13-19 feet with a width of 9 feet. There is no “right'' size when picking out a livestock scale, just the right size for you. So depending on what size you want will determine the cost you will be looking to spend. The cost for an SAS with dimensions of 3x8 can cost you anywhere from $6,000 to over $11,000. For a MAS with dimensions 13x9 can cost you anywhere from $16,000 up to well over $30,000. Keep in mind that these are for stationary livestock scales. The cost for portable and mobile scales will vary compared to stationary scales due to the other components that are specific to those scales. 

• Scale Components:Optioning your scale is where you will start to get the bulk of your costs. So it is good to think about what is important to you when looking for a scale. A typical livestock scale will be composed of a deck plate,electronic load cells (or analog), scoreboards, remote displays, junction boxes, pen sides as well as kick plates and a stainless steel scale indicator. A lot of these components will have multiple options with multiple features, thus affecting the price for each component. Scale accessories also influence the price as well.

• Load Cells:When choosing a load cell for your scale, you have to choose from analog or a digital load cell. An analog load cell will usually be the most cost effective between the two based on the build of the load cell, which is a lever system. Ensuring proper scale calibration for your loa cells will increase the lifespan of the scale. Going digital will usually have a more precise and faster reading compared to an analog load cell, but is also a bit more expensive as well. 

• Indicator:The indicator on a scale is what you use to get the weight of the animals. The indicator offers a  readout of the animal's weight. Depending on which indicator you decide to go with will determine what features you will have. There are indicators designed for farming and ranching, and are programmed for particular animal weighing requirements. 

PORTABLE OR PERMANENT?

Deciding if you need a permanent or portable scale simply depends on your layout and how you want to go about getting the animals weighed. If your livestock is located at different sections on your ranch, then you will want something that is portable to save time and effort when getting the animals weighed. The portable scale is convenient because there is not a lot of setup time needed. You simply set up the scale in the area where the animals are located. 

If you are looking to weigh livestock in the same location that they will be processed, then you will most likely opt for a permanent installation, in which load bars are placed under your squeeze chute and the scale is bolted to a concrete slab.

Determining if you will go permanent or portable will depend on your layout, and your processing method. These factors will be unique to each person. 

CONCLUSION

When it comes down to it, a farmer will need a good quality livestock scale to ensure that they are getting accurate results. Accurate readings will equal better profit all around. Regardless of whether you have a small or large-scale livestock farm, the importance of accurate weight can be directly tied to your business and how profitable it is. Pricing a scale can be a broad undertaking, but it depends on whether you want single, multiple, stationary or portable. Look to spend anywhere from $7,000 to $40,000 depending on your setup and options selected.

If you are looking to get a quote on our livestock scales, then head on over to our site and our team can help guide you through the process of ordering a livestock scale. At American Scale we strive to bring you informed and useful content on all things scale related. Be sure to check out our truck scale articles about truck scale foundation or how much do truck scales cost. We even have a guide to warranties. To learn more about bench scales, it would be good to check out our other articles such as “Bench Scale Basics'' and “How Much Does A Bench Scale Cost?”. These articles will help with the basics of bench scale ownership. Also, take a look at our“Common Problems With Bench Scales'', which can help give insight to what issues could arise while owning a bench scale.

Common Scales Used in Agriculture

Agriculture is a diverse industry that involves the production of a wide range of crops and livestock. Scales are an important tool in agriculture because they provide a precise and efficient way to measure the weight of crops, livestock, and other agricultural products. This article will go over the different scales used on farms as well as the benefits that they offer.

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Types of agriculture scales

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Weigh Beam Scales

One of the most common scales used in agriculture is the weigh beam scale. Weigh beam scales are used to weigh large items, such as livestock and machinery. These scales are known for their durability and accuracy, and they are often used in feedlots, livestock auctions, and other agricultural settings.

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Grain Dump Scales

Agricultural grain dump scales play an important role in farming operations, especially during the peak of the harvest season, where exceptional accuracy and operational efficiency has the utmost importance. Grain dump truck scales provide extra efficiency with the ability to weigh a truckload of goods and unload it while on the scale. Easy to install on-site, grain dump truck scales are the ideal weighing solution for both existing and newly constructed dump sites.

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Grain Cart Scales

Different from grain dump scales, grain cart scales are recommended for farmers interested in mobility while maintaining the ability to accurately measure the weight of the loads they are carrying. Grain cart scale can be integrated with a wide range of farming trucks and vehicles and deliver precise results. The ideal weighing solution for small-scale farmers, these cost-effective scales significantly reduce the time needed to weigh payloads.

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Benefits of using agriculture scales.

Comply with new regulations: The Department for Transportation has vehicle testing requirements which includes weight limits. Having a high capacity scale measuring feed and grain has to be sure that it is in compliance before any of it can be shipped to its respective destinations.

The farm can also benefit from high capacity scales for weighing the produce before loading onto the vehicles - or outgoing loads. Platform scales feature capacities up to 25000lbs and have large base sizes for weighing goods of any size.

Track yields: Weighing to track yields can ensure you are maximizing output. The scales used for this can be waterproof and portable, and with data transfer-capable scales means you can compare to previous results more efficiently. This can help you modify and adjust as needed.

Monitor waste: Weighing scales can also be used to reduce waste. Less waste can result in reduced costs, greater revenue and more profit.

Agricultural waste has been subject to the regulations that control the management of household, commercial and industrial waste. Many of these regulations, such as maximum deposit sizes of plant tissue waste, feature set weights in tonnes that need to be adhered to.

By tracking how much is being wasted using weighing scales, a strategic plan can be put in place in order to reduce wastage amounts.

Comply with Trading Standards when pricing based on weight: When the farm goods are ready to be sold, legally a Trade Approved scale must be used if the price is based on weight. This standard is to ensure consistency of weight readings across Legal for Trade Approved scales and assures the customer of the scale’s accuracy and reliability. These are therefore perfect for areas such as farmers’ markets.

Ensure customers are getting the correct quantities: An inaccurate weight can have financial implications (if the customer receives more than what they ordered) or bad customer service (if they received less than expected) so hitting weight targets is pivotal.

Use a scale with a hi/lo alarm - and add a hi/lo light tower to the scale for even greater convenience - and you’ll know whether or not a product weighs an amount which is in accordance with a preset target.

There can also be legal implications, and if you are buying a weighing scale and need a light tower, the optional extras can be found in the right hand menu of each product page.

Keep your records up to date with data transfer: Many scales have optional extras available that mean you can record weight data wirelessly. The Scale to USB Lead allows you to connect the scale directly to a PC,, weigh your produce on the scale, and transfer the data directly to an Excel spreadsheet on a computer - perfect for internal record keeping.

Closing Words

In conclusion, there are several different types of scales that are commonly used in agriculture, including weigh beam scales, platform scales, and hopper scales. These scales provide accurate and reliable weight measurements, which are essential for a variety of agricultural operations, including livestock production, crop production, and grain handling. As the agriculture industry continues to evolve, the use of scales is likely to become even more important for ensuring the efficiency and profitability of agricultural operations.

At American Scale we strive to bring you informed and useful content on all things scale systems related, including products from the top scale manufacturers. Be sure to check out our truck scale articles about truck scale foundation or how much do truck scales cost. We even have a guide to warranties. To learn more about bench scales, it would be good to check out our other articles such as “Bench Scale Basics'' and “How Much Does A Bench Scale Cost?”. These articles will help with the basics of bench scale ownership. Also, take a look at our “Common Problems With Bench Scales'', to help prolong the lifespan on your scale.

How Scales Benefit Agriculture

Industrial scales play a pivotal role in the agriculture and farming industries. They are a useful tool that can help streamline the harvesting process. Industrial scales used in farming have been proven to have a significant effect on both efficiency and profitability throughout production. Accurate measurements are essential to a profitable organization. From tracking yield to handling feed and livestock, high-volume farmers and agricultural enterprises rely on weighing solutions to ensure ultimate precision in their day-to-day weighing processes.  The advancement of technology in the scale industry has been changing the agriculture and farming process for the better. Having the ability to check livestock weights in real time as well as checking feed accuracy allows for farmers and ranchers to get ahead of any potential problems that may arise. Farming and agriculture have benefited greatly from industrial scales and the continuous push for accuracy. In this article we will take a look at how industrial scales are benefiting the agricultural industry.

The Push for Accuracy

Whether dealing with grain or corn, farmers will need measurements to be taken in high volume. Typically when you are at a feed mill, you will see several truck scales, usually in a tunnel so feed can be distributed directly and weighed at the same time. When there is not a reliable accurate weighing solution, it becomes difficult to determine the exact weight needed as well as the actual profitability of their yields. Scale manufacturers have developed great scales for farming and agriculture that are tailor made to handle the agriculture environment. The scales offer top notch accuracy  as well as greater efficiency and convenience.

INCREASED measurements

Due to the advancements in technology, livestock and other agriculture scales have drastically increased productivity as a whole. Having the ability to monitor weight in real time allows for farmers to make adjustments accordingly, thus remedying any issues before they even arise. As a result of faster calibrations and monitoring, it has increased the amount of traffic that comes through. Along with less downtime to fix the scale, which leads to reduced lost profits. As a result of  having a reliable and accurate weigh solution, the increased truck throughput is inevitable. Increased throughput means increased profits.

Versatility in motion

The amount of farm scales available from different manufacturers is substantial. You have a lot of options to choose from, and with the right scale choice, farmers can save considerable weighing time with how fast scales can record weight. Farmers greatly benefit from portable scales as well. Having the ability to move the scale to wherever you need, adds a level of versatility that was not readily available before. With the addition of onboard truck scales, they have become convenient in measuring heavier loads, thus reducing labor time due to eliminating the need to visit an external truck scale.

Simple yet detailed installs. 

When receiving a truck scale, it is usually installed on site. The length of the installation process is dependent on several factors, including foundation, size and deck style. Whether your operation calls for a grain scale, truck scale, or livestock scales, it is fairly simple to install at just about any site. Industrial scales are manufactured with high-quality material, with ease of use for the customer in mind. Scale manufacturers understand the importance of reliability and know that in the agriculture industry that reliability is essential. 

SEAMLESS INTEGRATIONS

Many farmers and ranchers have been looking for solutions that help them better manage their livestock and harvest data, to help them make changes or adjustments wherever necessary. Industrial scales have really come a long way, and have given farmers the ability to better monitor their livestock and crops. With digital integrations for load cells, indicators and accessories, the ability to monitor, record and adjust is more streamlined than before. Even with older analog scales, the transition to digital has become seamless. The accessibility farmers have to scale technicians is more prevalent than before.  

Closing words

As technology continues to advance so will society and industries. With these advancements in the scale industry continue to shine, other industries will continue to advance. The reduction of cost, down time and shrink has greatly benefited farmers as a whole. New tech is always on the horizon, and with the addition of AI among other advancements the possibilities are endless.

At American Scale we strive to bring you informed and useful content on all things scale systems related, including products from the top scale manufacturers. Be sure to check out our truck scale articles about truck scale foundation or how much do truck scales cost. We even have a guide to warranties. To learn more about bench scales, it would be good to check out our other articles such as “Bench Scale Basics'' and “How Much Does A Bench Scale Cost?”. These articles will help with the basics of bench scale ownership. Also, take a look at our“Common Problems With Bench Scales'', to help prolong the lifespan on your scale.

Top Livestock Scales For Each Application

Picking The Right Scale

Working with cattle and livestock is an involved job, and maintaining the animal’s weight and health is a large part of the process. Accuracy is an essential element within the Agricultural Industry, and scales used for weighing livestock are no exception. The scales must be up to date, scale calibration must be performed at regular intervals (no matter electronic or analog), and maintained to ensure that you obtain the most accurate results possible. Inaccuracies when dealing with livestock weight can affect the bottom line. So make sure that you keep your scale and scale indicator void of anything that can cause issues. Ensuring that you are reading accurately depends on choosing the right scale for your operation. Knowing about the different types of livestock scales upon the market can feel overwhelming, but research can make the task of finding the right scale not as difficult.  There are hundreds of livestock scales available, and manufacturers like to claim them to be the best for the job. This article will break down the top livestock scales (stationary, mobile, and portable) available on the market today. 

CHOOSING A SCALE

When choosing a scale, remember to think about when and where the scale will typically be used. Will you primarily be weighing one animal at a time, or multiple? Is it important for you to get a Legal for Trade reading? Is it important that the scale is NTEP certified? These are a few questions you should answer before looking for a scale to ensure that you’re investing in the agricultural scale which is best suited for your needs.

STATIONARY SINGLE ANIMAL SCALES

Single Animal Scales are great for smaller operations where only one animal needs to be weighed at a time. Not only do these give you the animal’s weight, they also give you a legal for trade weight reading. SAS include heavy-duty stainless-steel bars to keep the animal in place in order to get an accurate reading. Different variations also come with advanced features such as noise reduction or padded flooring.

Rice Lake: (SAS) Single Animal Scale:

Rice Lake single animal scales (SAS) offer safe and reliable weighing for a wide range of livestock including cattle, bison, horses, sheep, swine, and exotics. With a load capacity of up to 5,000 pounds and Legal for Trade readability in one pound increments, the SAS is ideal for county fairs, youth agriculture organizations, university research centers, veterinary practices, and other small- to medium-size operations that do not require a multi-animal scale.

• Gate configurations: swing gates, sliding gates, combination swing and slide gate, or head gate with swing or slide gate

• Solid 48-inch kick panel sides

• Ships assembled

• Durable X-Lug or X-Plank floor over steel

• Rugged all-weather powder paint

Cardinal: SLS Series:

Cardinal Scales SLS series steel deck single animal livestock scales are available with or without a livestock pen and dual slide-out gates. They feature an extremely accurate 2,500 lb x 0.5 lb, or 5,000 lb x 1 lb capacity, varying widths and lengths. NTEP certification and quality construction throughout the scale for weighing cattle, swine, horses, sheep, goats, and more. Indicator sold separately.

• TB 2,500 lb stainless steel load cells with adjustable support feet

• Side-access stainless steel junction

• Rubber mat interior flooring for sure footing and noise reduction

• Customizable pen options for versatility

B-Tek: SAS Series:

The B-TEK Small Animal Livestock Scale offers reliable weighing for a wide range of small livestock with a capacity of 1,000 or 2,500 lbs. Ideal for veterinary practices, agriculture organizations, research centers, county fairs, and operations that do not require a multi-animal scale, the B-TEK Small Animal Livestock Scale is versatile to meet the needs of the environment and animals.

• Plated alloy steel, 350 Ohms, 3.0 mV/V, FM Approved

• 1K capacity: (4) 500 lb cells

• 2.5K capacity: (4) 1,000 lb cells

• Optional hermetically sealed (IP68) cells are available

• Electrical Junction Box: NEMA 4 box with signal trim summing board

MULTIPLE ANIMAL SCALES (STATIONARY AND PORTABLE)

Group Animal Scales are capable of providing legal for trade weights in locations where the scale may need to weigh more than one animal before transport or at the processing site. In addition to the scale’s ability to meet the physical demands of remote cattle weighing, the instrumentation package that complements the scale provides a complete report for each batch and lot of animals weighed. 

 

Rice Lake: MAS-LC Stationary Animal Scale Series:

This scale combines the accuracy of fully electronic weighing technology with steel I-beam weighbridge designs typically found in heavy capacity vehicle weighing scales. With a wide range of sizes, the MAS-LC is the right choice for any stationary cattle weighing application. Like all MAS series scales, the MAS-LC is certified for commercial use in both the United States and Canada. Certified scales are held to exacting design characteristics providing accurate weights allowing you to sell across the scale. 

• Bolt-on racks and swinging gates

• Durable X-Lug or X-Plank floor over steel I-beam

• Solid 48-inch kick panel sides

• Spring-loaded latch on swinging gates

• Rugged all-weather powder paint

• Scale collapses for shipping

Cardinal portable MAS series:

Cardinal Scales portable Weight Wrangler group animal scales provide a self-contained NTEP legal for trade weighing system that can be used on any firm surface with up to a 5% grade (maximum allowed by NTEP). The hoof-gripping rubberized component deck and steel cattle pen enclosure with dual swing gates are all suspended at four points within a portable base frame. 

• Calculates Shrink Loss for Livestock Group

• Can Be Used on Any Firm Surface With up to a 5% Grade

• Durable Steel Cattle Pens

• Includes Lower Frame for Portability

• Includes Mobile Weighing Center

• NTEP Legal for Trade

FARM BARS

The most basic livestock scale you can get is a Farm Bar Scale. Farm Bar Scales are a type of farm scale that are easy and convenient to use due to the fact they can be placed under platforms or cages and used to weigh livestock in virtually any location. Farm bars are extremely durable, and often weather-proof as they are typically constructed from steel. These heavy-duty, electronic load cell scales can be mounted under most cattle squeeze chutes, hog crates, feed hoppers, and custom platforms.

B-Tek Weigh Rails

B-Tek Weigh Rails are ideal for all types of farm and animal weighing applications. Weigh Rails can also be adapted for industrial uses that are not practical for regular platform scales. Rugged all-steel construction, sealed components, and stainless steel load feet for outdoor use year-round. The lag-down foot retainer plates are great for a permanent install, can become portable for temporary or seasonal use. The B-Tek Weigh Rails are a good option for a setup that requires versatility. 

• Rail Capacity: 2,500 to 10,000 lb system gross capacity

• Rail Length: 22 in long weigh rails, 2,500 lb capacity x 0.5 lb

• Rail Height: 4-1/4 in

• Junction Box: Remote mount NEMA 4X stainless steel junction box with signal trim summing board

 

Adam Equipment Pallet Beam Livestock Scale

The Adam Equipment pallet beam scales are made from superior grade rugged stainless steel. The rugged stainless steel does not just protect it against water and dust, but makes it durable and eco-friendly as well. These pallet beams are designed for smaller to medium sized animals. 

• Measures in g, kg, lb, oz 

• Allows you to track capacity

• Wall-mountable indicator

• Changes color when the weight is over or under the limit

• Weighing, parts counting, check weighing, and dynamic weighing

MOBILE LIVESTOCK SCALES

A step up from stationary and portable, mobile scales allow for the weighing of multiple animals at once with the versatility of being portable. Many of these scales also come with legal for trade weight reading features, as well as NTEP certifications. A full-size livestock scale comes in various forms such as a Livestock Ring Scale, a Mechanical Stationary Livestock Scale, or a Mobile Group Livestock Scale. They are designed to equip various scale accessories including remote displays and scoreboards. When choosing from the different types of portable scales, it’s important to consider why, when, and where the scale will be most frequently used.

Cardinal Weight Wrangler: LSM series

Cardinal Scales mobile Weight Wrangler group animal scales provide a self-contained NTEP legal-for-trade weighing system that can be used on any firm surface with up to a 5% grade. This livestock scale includes an integral air pump to easily lift and lower the trailer's air bag suspension. Models come in 18-ft-long tandem axle or 13-ft-long single axle sizes. The X-lug rubberized component deck and steel cattle pen enclosure with dual gates are all suspended at four points within a mobile base frame. 

• High-Quality X-Lug Composite Flooring for Livestock Stability and Assurance Included Standard

• 3 Heavy-Duty Panels and Bows on 18-ft Models. Cardinal Scales Panel Construction is the Heaviest in the Mobile Cattle Scale Industry

• Available in 13-ft-long Single Axle or 18-ft-long Tandem Axle Sizes

• StableSense Digital Filtering Compensates for Animal Movement While Weighing to Provide Accurate Weights

• Calculates Shrink Loss for Livestock Groups

Rice Lake: MAS Series

Built with the physical demands of remote weighing in mind, the MAS-M livestock scale provides legal for trade measurements even when the scale is placed off-level by up to three degrees (or 6%). No other model brings as much flexibility as Rice Lakes Livestock Scale performance. The scale employs an independent air ride suspension which allows it to be moved in and out of weighing mode by simply adjusting the air pressure in the air bags. Load is applied to and or removed from the cells through a manual lift/lower lever system.

CONCLUSION

The livestock scales listed are not the final word on livestock scales. This merely serves as a guide as to what to look for when it comes to familiarizing yourself with the scale system as well as getting a better idea as to what you want and what works best for you. Be sure to check out our Livestock Scales 101 article which breaks down the basics of livestock scales. If you are looking to start the process on your livestock scale, then be sure to check out the Livestock scales under the product section.

At American Scale we strive to bring you informed and useful content on all things scale related, including products from the top scale manufacturers. Be sure to check out our truck scale articles about truck scale foundation or how much do truck scales cost. We even have a guide to warranties. To learn more about bench scales, it would be good to check out our other articles such as “Bench Scale Basics'' and “How Much Does A Bench Scale Cost?”. These articles will help with the basics of bench scale ownership. Also, take a look at our“Common Problems With Bench Scales'', to help prolong the lifespan on your scale.

Livestock Scales 101

Livestock Scales For Beginners.

Livestock scales are an important part of farming. The scales are an integral part of the food production process. There is a lot that goes into livestock scales and how they operate. This article will take a deep dive into livestock scales and how they work in food production.

What is a livestock scale?

Livestock scales are scales that are either mechanical or electronic with a design for weighing large animals like cattle. These scales have a pen with animal safety design. Other than farms and ranches, there are other places that use livestock scale such as zoos and animal rescues.

Livestock scales have a durable design. The components are corrosion resistent and has a washdown surface for easy cleaning. When it comes to optioning out your scale deck, you have several choices to choose from. Some of those choices include steel, concrete or rubber-coated decks. The deck surfaces help keep the animals comfortable and safe while weighing. Depending on the scale’s location will determine which scale is best. If your scale is located outside, then there are various hazards that can affect your scale. Scales can get dirty quickly, having a washdown schedule.

The different types of livestock scales

Livestock scales provide a safe environment to weigh the animals. The scale design with pen-like are available with stationary, mobile and portable alternatives. Manufacturers provide individual and group livestock scales in various sizes. There are a lot of custom options as well. There will also be a different weight, weighing technology and display choices.

• Mobile Livestock Scales:

  Mobile animal scales (MAS) are designed to be transported to the location of the animals to be weighed. The scales are designed with durability in mind. These scales will also be equipped with steel pens suspended on load cells.There is also a cage that is installed to help keep the animals safe and locked in during transport. This cage can be locked down to the frame while transporting the animals. The reasoning for this design is because it prevents cage movement and load cell damage during transport. The mobile livestock scale is a good choice if you have to actually go to the animals yourself. 

• Portable Livestock Scales:

  Portable Animal Scales (PAS) are designed to be transported to various weighing sites. The majority of portable livestock scales are suitable to be used in harsh and unpredictable conditions of multiple site weighing. They can have a deck and a pen side for a smoother loading and unloading process for the animals.

• Stationary Livestock Scales:

  Stationary Animal scales (SAS) are designed to be set up at one location, to which the animals can be guided to the scale to be weighed. One thing to note about stationary livestock scales is that they're available in a myriad of sizes to hold the amount of livestock you need to be weighed.  The cool thing about stationary scales is that they combine the accuracy of fully electronic weighing technology coupled with steel weighbridge designs that are typically found in truck scales.

What makes up a livestock scale?

Livestock scales are made up of several components. There is a deck that is surrounded by pen fences, which is then suspended on a base frame on top of four load cells. Portable scales are equipped with an air suspension system which makes the scale lift and lower to allow for the animals to be easily loaded and unloaded. The majority of animal scales are pen configurations that provide a safe environment for animal weighing. These pen-like scales are accessible with stationary, mobile and portable alternatives. Manufacturers also  provide scales that are designed for  individual and group animal weighing. Depending on where and how the scale will be stored will help you determine whether to have surfaces for washdown. 

What is Shrink?

Shrink is the quantity of weight-loss of animals when traveling on an off-site scale. When working with livestock, farmers will spend the majority of their time managing their cattle’s diet to ensure that they gain as much weight as possible by the time it's ready to go to the market. When the cattle is transported, held or gathered, it cuts into their time for eating. When this happens the animals start losing weight. This weight loss is referred to as shrinkage. There are various factors that can  influence the amount of shrinkage you will have. Understanding that these factors are present and important to how you manage your livestock and ensuring minimum shrinkage.

Regardless of which livestock you are working with, minimizing shrinking losses is paramount in maximizing the bottom line. There have been various studies that have shown an average weight loss of 6 percent. With the introduction of mobile and portable scales, shrinkage has been reduced to about 2%, with a profit increase of 6%. The choice of a mobile over a stationary livestock scale could be decided by the increased profitability. Below is a list of tips that can help you decrease shrinkage during the weighing process.

Reducing Shrink

Shrink is most often measured from the time an animal leaves the ranch or farm, to the point the animal is weighed at the destination. The shrink comes as a result of time off feed and water and the stress of handling and hauling. There is also the factor of  temperature, weather changes, environment, feed changes. These are all factors that can contribute to shrink. Below are some tips on how you can help decrease shrink: 

• Understand what upcoming weather will be like. Checking the forecast, reading an almanac will help you to avoid transporting cattle in less than ideal conditions.  

• Transport livestock slowly when handling and loading.

• Avoid exposing animals to unfamiliar environments without preconditioning.

• Perform regular service on your scales to help avoid downtime.

• Avoid overcrowding of your livestock. This can cause stress and discomfort during transport.

• Avoid long transport trips and also provide time to allow cattle to rest.

• Try to transport animals on smooth roads and avoid rough and uneven surfaces. 

• Provide feed and water for the animals.

• Be sure to withhold water up to 3 hours before shipping.

Benefits of livestock scales

Livestock scales will hold a lot of benefits over other scales that can measure heavy weight. In this section we will go through the benefits of owning a livestock scale and how it helps your overall livestock production. 

• Accuracy: Livestock scales are designed to be extremely precise. Since you are dealing with animals, that means that weights can fluctuate, thus affecting the bottom line. The precision and accuracy of a livestock scale is very important and integral to your operation. Ensure that your scales are maintained and properly calibrated.

• Durability: Livestock scales need to be durable to ensure that they can handle the difficult livestock circumstances and in handling the heavy loads. These scales are intended to be very durable and capable of handling the hazards of handling livestock. These scales are designed to manage animal kicking and other environmental hazards over other industrial scales.

• Evaluation: Livestock scales  are equipped with the ability to evaluate weights at different phases of their life-scale. The information collected can be used and analyzed to assess feedlots and annual weights averaged daily increase (ADG), and daily weight gains (WDA). With livestock scales you are able to evaluate the overall performance of your livestock.

• Feed & Medicine Monitoring: When feeding and medicating your livestock, knowing what the exact quantity of food and medicine, is essential to the overall health of your livestock. Livestock scales can assist in correctly calculating the feed/medicine, which in turn helps keep you from giving the animals exactly what they need in food and medicine.

• Animal Comfort: Scales for livestock are intended to comfortably accommodate different animal types. Low profile scales are great for loading and unloading animals due to the convenience factor of not having to step up a high distance.

• Simple to Handle: You need less work to use livestock scales because they are simple to manage. They have an inner memory that makes the history of different animals simpler to evaluate.

• Ease of use: The cattle scales are constructed from flat or concrete wood decks that make things easy to transport. There are several features that have ease of use in mind, including memory parts and weight information collection. 

• Customization:A lot of livestock scales are highly customizable to meet your needs. Some accessories include digital indicators, portals, load bars, surfaces and many more. All of the custom options available are designed to each unique client. 

Conclusion

Livestock scales have a lot of intricacies to them and it is easy to get lost on each aspect. When it comes down to it, as a farmer or rancher you will want to protect your bottom line. Researching and purchasing the right livestock scale for you will take some time, but it is well worth it. Regardless of having a small farm or a large scale livestock farm, the significance of accurate measurement of animal performance is paramount when maximizing your profits through the entire process. If you want to know more about the cost of livestock scales, be sure to check out our article about livestock scales pricing. 

How Much Do Livestock Scales Cost?

Understanding Livestock Scales

Livestock scale systems are a very important part of our food production process. There are many types of livestock scales to consider and they vary based on the application requirements. When considering the purchase of livestock scales, accuracy is paramount and can potentially cost you a lot in lost profits over time. Scale manufacturers try to create scales that can handle the requirements of farming. Weight is an important factor in food production. Owning a livestock scale can be a large undertaking, and there are a lot of important factors that need to be considered before you go along with a purchase. Depending on the type of scale, size and components, a livestock scale can cost anywhere from $2,000 to over $40,000 depending on the aforementioned factors. This article will go over the things to consider while searching for your next livestock scale as well as a cost breakdown of what you can expect when purchasing a livestock scale.

Note: This article will only focus on legal for trade livestock scales. We will not have anything non legal for trade in this article. 

TYPES OF LIVESTOCK SCALES

Mobile Livestock ScalesMobile animal scales (MAS) are designed to be transported to the location of the animals to be weighed. The scales are designed with durability in mind. These scales will also be equipped with steel pens suspended on load cells.There is also a cage that is installed to help keep the animals safe and locked in during transport. This cage can be locked down to the frame while transporting the animals. The reasoning for this design is because it prevents cage movement and load cell damage during transport. The mobile livestock scale is a good choice if you have to actually go to the animals yourself. 

Portable Livestock ScalesPortable Animal Scales (PAS) are designed to be transported to various weighing sites. The majority of portable livestock scales are suitable to be used in harsh and unpredictable conditions of multiple site weighing. They can have a deck and a pen side for a smoother loading and unloading process for the animals.

Stationary Livestock ScalesStationary Animal scales (SAS) are designed to be set up at one location, to which the animals can be guided to the scale to be weighed. One thing to note about stationary livestock scales is that they're available in a myriad of sizes to hold the amount of livestock you need to be weighed.  The cool thing about stationary scales is that they combine the accuracy of fully electronic weighing technology coupled with steel weighbridge designs that are typically found in truck scales.

WHAT INFLUENCES THE PRICE?

Livestock scale pricing has a myriad of factors that influence the overall cost of owning the scale. You have to ask yourself several questions. What are you using the scale for? The weighing applications involved also will affect the price. Do you need a single animal livestock scale or multiple animals? Is the scale going to be stationary, portable or mobile? These are just some of the things that will influence the price of your scale. Below is a breakdown of what goes into the pricing when you are optioning out your scale. 

• Scale Size: The size of the scale will be the biggest contributing factor to the price. You have to look at if you want a single animal scale or if you want a scale that can weigh multiple livestock at once. The size of the scale will need to be known before you can move further with the other options. Single animal scales tend to have the steel deck dimensions of 3’x8’ and 4’x8, while multiple animal scales will have dimensions of 13-19 feet with a width of 9 feet. There is no “right'' size when picking out a livestock scale, just the right size for you. So depending on what size you want will determine the cost you will be looking to spend. The cost for an SAS with dimensions of 3x8 can cost you anywhere from $6,000 to over $11,000. For a MAS with dimensions 13x9 can cost you anywhere from $16,000 up to well over $30,000. Keep in mind that these are for stationary livestock scales. The cost for portable and mobile scales will vary compared to stationary scales due to the other components that are specific to those scales. 

• Scale Components:Optioning your scale is where you will start to get the bulk of your costs. So it is good to think about what is important to you when looking for a scale. A typical livestock scale will be composed of a deck plate,electronic load cells (or analog), scoreboards, remote displays, junction boxes, pen sides as well as kick plates and a stainless steel scale indicator. A lot of these components will have multiple options with multiple features, thus affecting the price for each component. Scale accessories also influence the price as well.

• Load Cells:When choosing a load cell for your scale, you have to choose from analog or a digital load cell. An analog load cell will usually be the most cost effective between the two based on the build of the load cell, which is a lever system. Ensuring proper scale calibration for your loa cells will increase the lifespan of the scale. Going digital will usually have a more precise and faster reading compared to an analog load cell, but is also a bit more expensive as well. 

• Indicator:The indicator on a scale is what you use to get the weight of the animals. The indicator offers a  readout of the animal's weight. Depending on which indicator you decide to go with will determine what features you will have. There are indicators designed for farming and ranching, and are programmed for particular animal weighing requirements. 

PORTABLE OR PERMANENT?

Deciding if you need a permanent or portable scale simply depends on your layout and how you want to go about getting the animals weighed. If your livestock is located at different sections on your ranch, then you will want something that is portable to save time and effort when getting the animals weighed. The portable scale is convenient because there is not a lot of setup time needed. You simply set up the scale in the area where the animals are located. 

If you are looking to weigh livestock in the same location that they will be processed, then you will most likely opt for a permanent installation, in which load bars are placed under your squeeze chute and the scale is bolted to a concrete slab.

Determining if you will go permanent or portable will depend on your layout, and your processing method. These factors will be unique to each person. 

CONCLUSION

When it comes down to it, a farmer will need a good quality livestock scale to ensure that they are getting accurate results. Accurate readings will equal better profit all around. Regardless of whether you have a small or large-scale livestock farm, the importance of accurate weight can be directly tied to your business and how profitable it is. Pricing a scale can be a broad undertaking, but it depends on whether you want single, multiple, stationary or portable. Look to spend anywhere from $7,000 to $40,000 depending on your setup and options selected.

If you are looking to get a quote on our livestock scales, then head on over to our site and our team can help guide you through the process of ordering a livestock scale. At American Scale we strive to bring you informed and useful content on all things scale related. Be sure to check out our truck scale articles about truck scale foundation or how much do truck scales cost. We even have a guide to warranties. To learn more about bench scales, it would be good to check out our other articles such as “Bench Scale Basics'' and “How Much Does A Bench Scale Cost?”. These articles will help with the basics of bench scale ownership. Also, take a look at our“Common Problems With Bench Scales'', which can help give insight to what issues could arise while owning a bench scale.