Weighing Yearlings

Here you can see how we weigh cattle – yearlings specifically, steers and heifers that are a year or more old. In the yards, the animals are moved through a series of pens decreasing in size and then into a long thin yard called the race, where they move along and then onto a weigh platform scale (think big bathroom scales).  You can see here, that my walking towards the animal, is enough pressure for it to decide to move forward along the race. Having animals move according to where we place pressure and then allowing them to move off that pressure is how we best get them to go where we want, while keeping their stress levels down. Moving them by keeping pressure on constantly or trying to scare them away from us by yelling or waving arms is less effective and creates higher stress for the animals.

The animals are let from the race onto the weigh platform, which is connected to a purpose built computer where we record the weight of each animal individually. The animals have an electronic ear tag that we scan with a wand to bring up that specific animal’s details on the screen. We walk them onto the scale, close the gate behind them, record the weight (hear the ‘beep’) and then let them out.

This fellow was not in any hurry to be moving on. Handling the animals with care and intent means their stress levels are kept to a minimum through all our operations, including weighing.  My video is a little wonky as I operated the slide gate, recorded on the computer etc whilst trying to film and also trying not to hold the operations up! Derek is down the back of the race bringing the yearlings forward to me and Derek’s Dad is in the very back yard keeping animals flowing through to Derek. The only noise being that of the gates opening and closing.

Going through the yards and being weighed etc. whilst being handled with intent means the animals can cope with stress better. So, when the truck does come for them to go to the abattoir, it results in a calmer animal and ultimately a better grass fed beef eating experience.