Weighing cows

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:21 pm

I was just out with the pigs this morning and using my "weight tape" on them. I don't have one for cattle and wondered if anyone knew the math behind this method of estimating weight.

Kathy

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 12:42 am

Sorry I can't tell you the formula used, it certainly is not a linear scale and I suspect form a quick look at my band that the variarions are different for cattle and sheep. Mine lists girth in centimetres, liveweight for cattle, extra fat cattle, deadweight pigs and liveweight pigs. The pig scale does not go beyond 170 cms, equivalent to 264kg liveweight pig or 392 liveweight cattle, so your pig band might not be long enough for a big bull. To give you the cattle weights against centimetres of girth for the range of Dexters would mean listing form 60cms to 200 or so - 140 pairs of figures - I dare say it could be done but would be difficult to present on this site.

I have found the band reasonable accurate for Dexters on the few occasions I have had access to accurate scales and used the band - the one which sticks in my mind was Ilsington Bramble at the AI station, their scales said 550kg and the band said 552kg.

Duncan

106-1100209741 · Post by **106-1100209741** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:57 pm

For a rough guide your band sounds like a good idea. I presume you've had yours for a day or two, Duncan, but can you tell us where we might get hold of them?

Thanks

June

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 4:12 pm

I guess I'll have to break down and spend some money to buy a cattle weigh tape. I'm sure I saw one at the feed store. I know that one of my books gives you the math but that is for pigs again. And it probably does use calculus in which I was never proficient but at least I recall that cosign means more than just another signatory on a cheque! ???

Kathy

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:16 pm

Yes, but they're measured in lbs, which isn't very helpful if you're trying to figure out how many kilos they are, in a hurry, so you can dose them. The tape I bought to measure pigs with, wasn't big enough to measure our 'Large Blacks'. So that was a waste of time. We've now borrowed some weigh-bars and are buying a platform to go on top. So our days of guessing weights will soon be over. :laugh: