Is it possible to determine the body weight of a cattle if the scales are broken
Finding an answer to the question of how to find out the weight of a bull without weights will allow you not to become deceived by the seller or buyer of meat. There are several ways to determine the body weight of cattle, having studied which, you will be able to bring out deceivers almost at lightning speed, as well as easily determine the dose of medications suitable for your pet. Let's rather understand how to find out the weight of cattle.
- Prerequisites for calculating body mass index
- Assists in determining the live weight of cattle
- Methods for determining the body weight of cattle
- How to find out the weight of cattle using tables
- Characteristics of fatness of cattle
- Calculation of body weight by the formula
- How to determine the weight of a live bull by girth
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How to find out the weight of cattle without weights
Prerequisites for calculating body mass index
There are several prerequisites that make it possible to give a detailed answer to the question of why determine the indicator in question. The first is an assessment of the health of the offspring (which is why there are separate tables of calf weights). The second is the possibility of making a decent profit (the greater the mass of the animal, the higher the seller's income). The third is to assess the performance of cattle (tables for determining the weight of calves help to identify the fertile growing generation). The fourth is to learn how to formulate the right diet to maintain good health and increase the life expectancy of livestock.
For example, the weight by the girth of a goby indicates its ability to procreate, therefore it is not worth letting such a specimen for slaughter, although the demand for such an individual will be high, as will the price.
The average indicators of the body weight of a cow make it possible to subdivide cattle into the following groups: selective (in the area of half a ton), first class (about 430 kg), second class (390 kg), third class (slightly more than 300 kg). It is important to know that the value in question depends not only on the nutritional characteristics, but also on the breed of livestock. For example, a white-porcelain male can be 750-800 kg.
A properly studied and used table for determining the weight of cows can make a farmer a wealthy person. Do not agree? Learn about setting the final body weight of an animal to change your mind.
Assists in determining the live weight of cattle
It should not be hidden that one of the most loyal methods for assessing the body weight of large animals is the weighing procedure. Of course, the classic steelyards, which are overflowing with the kitchens of modern housewives, and even bathroom scales will not cope with the task. For this purpose, special measuring platforms with a large carrying capacity and a working surface are used.
But what if there is no opportunity to purchase such a device, and it is problematic to organize the transportation of a cow or young animals? How to determine the weight of a cattle without relying on the eyes? There is a way out: it is impossible to weigh, which means that it is necessary to use a measuring tape, which is also called a "centimeter".But how to get an approximate indicator of body weight by measurements? Here, a table for measuring the weight of cattle, a table of live weight of young cattle and special formulas come to the rescue.
Methods for determining the body weight of cattle
If weighing the bulls is problematic, then in order to find out the mass of a calf or cattle, it is enough to use the following methods:
- classic version;
- calculate body weight according to the formula;
- use the determination of body weight by chest circumference.
Although the approaches have different names, they have one thing in common: in any case, it will be necessary to make measurements of the animal's body. What is the difference between these options? Which one should you choose? You will find out very soon.
How to find out the weight of cattle using tables
So, in order to determine the weight of the cattle by measuring, you will have to prepare a number of devices, which include:
- a piece of paper;
- tape for measuring live weight of cattle (centimeter);
- pencil or pen;
- determinant by parameters (table for determining the weight of cattle).
The determination of the live indicator by measurement is as follows:
- Measure the chest girth of a cow or bull with a tape (in order not to get errors in size and to correctly calculate the girth total, you need to measure around the body from the edge of the shoulder blade along the chest line). The peculiarities of this procedure can be learned by watching the video (you should learn how to determine the line of the chest in order to move one step in search of an answer to the question of how to find out the weight of a calf without weights).
- Measure the oblique length of the body with a tape measure (measure with a tape from the place where the scapula connects with the shoulder to the posterior protrusion of the ischial tuberosities, along the surface of the chest). Important: the tail is not taken into account.
- The obtained data should be correlated with the results for which the table for determining the weight of young cattle (if a calf had to be measured) and simply cattle (for a cow and large livestock) is famous.
After learning such an unusual way to get the desired result, the question of how to know the weight of a cow should stop worrying you.
Of course, the animal body mass indicator in this case will be approximate, but the method under consideration, which allows you to find out the weight of a calf and any other representative of livestock without weights, has been working for a long time and has no particular complaints. The only thing: the table for determining the live weight of young cattle should always be at hand.
Characteristics of fatness of cattle
It is worth noting that the cost of an animal is influenced not only by the weight of the cattle according to measurements, but also by the necessary indicator of the fatness of the livestock, which can be determined by probing and examining the animal. Initially, fat (even in calves) begins to be deposited in the back of the body (in the area of the tail, ischial tubercles), then passes to the lower back, ribs, and only then to the shoulder blades and neck. This additional examination can help to isolate young animals from the herd without additional calculation.
For clarity, a characteristic is presented to your attention by which it is quite simple to determine the fatness of an animal.
Group | Characteristic |
First (highest) | An individual with a noticeable relief, roundness, fleshy thighs and fat all over the body, therefore, with a good weight. |
Second (middle) | In the animal, the angularity of the forms is slightly noticeable (these are the protruding scapula, ischial tubercles and the tail), the muscles are noticeable, but the circumference of the forms is not enough. The fat is located at the tail. Looking at such an individual, you might think that it was slightly underfed. |
Third | Weak animal musculature, increased body angularity, flat thighs, bulging shoulder blades and lack of fat. You cannot look at such a cow or a bull without tears, because it seems that the animal was starved to death. |
Hence, it is clear that first of all, individuals of the highest category will be in demand, then the second, but the price will be significantly reduced for them. As for calves, their fatness is determined by the same characteristics as in cattle, therefore, three groups are also distinguished.
Calculation of body weight by the formula
If a table for determining the weight of young cattle is not available, it is permissible to use the old "old-fashioned" method - calculate by the formula (by measurements of live animals). To implement it, you still have to use the measurement.
To understand how to determine the weight of a bull, you need to consider and remember the following instructions:
- we measure the chest girth of a living representative (measured unit - centimeter);
- we measure the oblique length of the body (it does not correspond to the growth of the animal);
- we multiply the obtained indicators;
- the result is divided by 100;
- multiply by a factor of 2.5 (if you have a meat breed in front of you) and by 3 (if a dairy breed).
The error in such calculations will not exceed 5%, therefore, the weight of the cattle by measurements is calculated quite easily, and most importantly - competently and efficiently.
How to determine the weight of a live bull by girth
There is another way to determine the weight of the bull by the girth. This approach is most often used for small individuals - calves or heifers, as it is easier to keep them in one place, and even measure them.
The method consists in measuring the circumference of the chest at the widest point. The result obtained must be compared with the data indicated in the table of cattle weight by measurements (girths). For example, if the value on a centimeter or any measuring tape is 80 cm, then the weight of the animal is equal to 30 kg.
Naturally, these are averaged values, but all the materials used in the work have already been repeatedly checked. If you want to make sure that the proposed methods for measuring the weight of a cow according to a table, a calf according to girth, etc. are working, conduct an experiment.
As you understood from the review, there are several ways to determine the body weight of cattle:
- The clearest is to put it on the scales.
- Optimal for calves - by chest girth.
- According to the tables, it is suitable for any livestock (currently there are recorded data even for pigs and wild boars).
- According to the formula - with a lower percentage of flaws (suitable for any age of the animal).
Which option to use? The answer to this question will depend only on the capabilities of the farmer or a person who wants to buy livestock on the market (from hands).
Tip: measure several times and choose an average (for example, determine the weight of the bull from the table, then calculate using the formula). This recommendation is associated with the famous proverb: "Measure seven times - cut once." Be careful - you will stop doubting the results obtained.
Now you can say with confidence that you know how to find out the weight of the cattle from the tables, and the weight of the bull by the girth. Determining the weight of cattle turns out to be not so difficult.