What's the weight of my livestock?

notafarmer

Junior Member
Messages
275
How do you find the weight of livestock?
 

deepthoughts663

Guest
in dairy farming and Beef Cattle
1. Measure the length of body, from the point-of-shoulder (A)to the point-of-rump or pin bone (B).
2. Measure the circumference or heart girth (C). Measure from
a point slightly behind the shoulder blade, down the fore-ribs and under the body behind the elbow all the way around.
After these measurements are made in inches – use the following formula.
3. (Heart girth X heart girth X body length) ÷ 300 = weight in pounds.
Example:
Heart girth (76”) X heart girth (76”) X body length (66”)
divided by 300 = 1,270 pounds.
76 X 76 = 5,776
5,776 X 66 = 381,216
381,216 divided by 300 = 1,270 pounds

Sheep and Goats
For sheep and goats, use the same method described for beef cattle.
When working with unshorn sheep, be sure to part or compress the wool to insure an accurate heart girth measurement.

Hogs
1. Measure the length of body from A to B. Do this by restraining the animal and measuring the length of body from between the ears (poll) over the backbone to the base of the tail.
2. Measure the circumference (heart girth) of body (C). After these measurements are made in inches – use the following formula.
3. (Heart girth X heart girth X body length) ÷ 400 = weight in pounds Note: For hogs weighing less than 150 pounds, add 7 pounds to the
weight figure from this formula; for hogs weighing 150 to 400 pounds, no further adjustment is needed.

Horses
1. Measure the length of body from, from the point-of-shoulder (A) to the point-of-rump (B).
2. Measure the circumference (heart girth) of body (C). Measure from the base of the withers, down under the belly, just behind
the elbow and foreleg, and all the way back around. After these measurements are made in inches – use the following formula.
3. (Heart girth X heart girth X body length) ÷ 330 = weight in pounds.
Example:
Heart girth (70”) X heart girth (70”) X body length (65”)
divided by 330 = 965 pounds.
70 X 70 = 4,900
4,900 X 65 = 318,500
318,500 divided by 330 = 965 pounds

Tips for increasing Accuracy and Safety

• Make certain the animal is standing squarely on level ground.
• Have someone stand on the opposite side to help with the girth measurment. Make sure the tape lays flat and is not twisted.
• Pull the tape snug.
• When using a weigh tape, position the tape according to the manufacturer’s directions.
• A cloth measuring tape is preferred.
• You may need to restrain the pig or some feed may help you get the needed measurements.
• Be calm, don’t rush in. Make sure the animal is comfortable with the measuring tape.
• When monitoring an animal’s weight over time, it is best to have the same person using the same method.
• By following a set procedure you will be able to monitor change that can be used as an indicator of health.
• The weight estimation formulas and weigh tapes may be used effectively for many animals, but are not highly accurate for pregnant animals or those with extreme conformational irregularities.
• Keep a record that you can refer back to over time.
 
 
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