The Casual Cattle Conversations Podcast: The Value of Weighing Cattle

The Value of Weighing Cattle

Data is knowledge and knowledge is power, but are ranchers truly operating with the right pieces of data to make confident decisions in all areas of their operation?

“Most ranchers are making decisions without one of the most valuable pieces of data on their operation, which is actual weights,” says Dawn Anderson CattleScales.com team member and Idaho rancher.

It’s easy to think actual weights are something only seedstock suppliers take throughout the year to report to breed associations, however knowing birth weights, weaning weights, yearling weights and mature cow weights is highly beneficial for commercial cattle producers as well.

She says, “Being able to track weights from birth through weaning and yearling gives you a much clearer picture of your herd.”

Dawn’s family tracks birth weight records to breed for ideal sized calves for their environment.

“We look at birth weights closely—because too big or too small, both can cause problems,” she explains. “A small calf can lack the energy, and a big calf can struggle too—they’ve got to get up and get moving.”

As calves mature, knowing weaning weights or even pre-weaning weights eliminates marketing surprises on sale day and opens the door to more informed culling decisions.... 



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