Weigh Newborn Calves The Easy Way

Weigh Newborn Calves The Easy Way Accurate newborn calf weights are an often-overlooked component of successful cattle production, as they provide real-time data on future herd productivity. This information supports informed management decisions, including setting baselines for calculating daily liveweight gain, evaluating sires, and enabling precise vaccine and antibiotic dosing. Unfortunately, weighing these slippery newborns is often cumbersome and awkward, and the task can be dangerous when overprotective mothers are keeping a close watch. To address these challenges, Southern IL Scale developed a practical tool that makes this task easier and safer. The Southern IL Scale calf scale is designed for easy mounting on the rear of a pickup truck, UTV, ATV or 4-wheeler, and it fits securely into a 2-in. receiver. Farmers simply lift the calf into the foam-covered cradle to obtain an accurate weight. The scale head indicator runs on four AA batteries and can be installed on a side-by-side, ATV, truck or UTV. Constructed from 2-in. by 2-in., 14-ga. square tubing, the frame can hold and weigh animals up to 300 lbs. “Calves will hang there fairly quiet as they’re upright, making it easier to doctor, tag or vaccinate,” says Mica Rist, Southern IL Scale operations manager. “Plus, the mother stays calmer as their baby isn’t thrashing around on the ground. The cradle arms are wrapped in foam as well, so the calves don’t hurt themselves.” Manufactured in Noble, Ill., the Southern IL Scale calf scale is available throughout North America through multiple dealers and can be shipped anywhere. The cost is $765 plus S&H via UPS. “Our calf scale sets itself apart from competitors as the weight indicator can be used on many of our other systems,” Rist says. “Farmers only need to buy one system, and the indicator can be swapped around to any of our other products, like our single-animal weight cages or platform scales.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Southern IL Scale Inc., 430 W. South Ave., Noble, Ill. 62868 (ph 800-441-1794; sales@southernilscale.com; www.southernilscale.com).

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