Monitoring animal performance with Cattle Scales

Regularly weighing animals is a crucial practice for farmers to track the weight of each animal and ensure they are meeting their target daily live weight gain. By monitoring their weight consistently, farmers can easily identify any deviations from the desired growth rate and take immediate corrective actions.

What are the Target Weight Gain Goals?

For dairy calf to beef animals, the target daily live weight gain should be around 0.7-0.8kg/head/day during the first grazing season. As the animals transition into the first winter period, the target daily gains should be adjusted to 0.6-0.7kg/head/day. Moving into the second grazing season, the ideal weight gain can vary based on the breed and sex of the animal, with targets typically around 0.9kg/head/day.

Why is Monitoring Weight Gain Important?

Tracking the weight gain of animals is essential for several reasons. It allows farmers to assess the effectiveness of their feeding and management practices. If an animal is not gaining weight as expected, it could indicate issues such as poor nutrition, health problems, or inadequate care.

What Remedial Actions Can Farmers Take?

When animals are not meeting their target weight gain, farmers can implement various remedial actions to help them get back on track. These actions may include improving the quality of grass, providing extra feed supplementation, administering medication or vaccinations, seeking veterinary assessment, or providing specific treatments as needed.

How Can Farmers Ensure Optimal Growth?

To ensure that animals achieve their target weight gain, farmers should closely monitor their growth progress, adjust feeding strategies as needed, and promptly address any issues that may arise. By staying proactive and attentive to the animals' needs, farmers can help them reach their full growth potential and maintain their overall health and well-being.