The technique of weighing bullocks on summer grass

Abstract

The investigations carried out refer to the relative degree of accuracy obtained when weighing grazing bullocks at different times during the day. An endeavour was made to find a time when animals could be weighed with the minimum of disturbance in their grazing habits and when the weights recorded had the minimum day-to-day variation.It is suggested that weights recorded early in the day when the animals are generally of a constant habit have day-to -day variations comparable to those obtained after overnight fasting.Alternatively, it is suggested that cattle at grass should be weighed after fasting overnight. In this case the fast should follow ‘the-end-of-evening’ grazing and water should be provided in the fasting yard.