Making the Most of Your Calf Scale in Alberta: 4 Tips for Weighing Livestock

Accurate animal weighing is essential to good herd management—whether you’re tracking growth, adjusting feed programs, monitoring health, preparing for sale, or administering medications. Using quality livestock scales correctly helps you get precise weights while ensuring the comfort and safety of your animals.

At Accurate Western Scale, we offer livestock and calf scales across Alberta, and provide full-service support, including scale repair, calibration, and installation. To keep your operation running smoothly, here are our top four tips to help you weigh livestock effectively and efficiently:

1. Position Your Livestock Scale on a Stable, Level Surface

To get consistent and accurate weights, the surface under your scale must be firm and secure. While livestock scales can function on compacted gravel or barn floors, they should not sit on soft, uneven ground that might move or shift when animals step on. A stable foundation helps ensure load cells work correctly and improves safety for both animals and handlers.
Pro Tip: Use shims or adjustable feet to level your livestock or calf scale if your ground surface isn’t perfectly flat.

2. Minimize Animal Stress and Move Efficiently

Animals that are anxious or uncomfortable on the scale tend to shift and move—which results in unstable readings and potential safety issues. Stress can also lead to “livestock shrinking” effects, where the animal’s weight decreases due to anxiety or physical exertion before the actual weigh reading.
To mitigate these risks:

• Use calm, gentle handling techniques and avoid loud noises
• Work with familiar handlers and maintain a predictable, routine weighing process
• Keep the weighing area clear of distractions and obstructions like debris or equipment

Animals that are calm and comfortable are more likely to stand still, giving you a reliable weight every time.

3. Regularly Clean, Inspect & Calibrate Your Scale

Livestock environments are tough on equipment in Alberta. Dirt, manure, feed waste, and moisture can accumulate on and under the platform, potentially interfering with load cell performance or mechanical components.

Maintenance of your livestock and calf scales should include:

• Daily Cleaning: Remove debris from the scale surface.
• Inspection: Check for loose cables, worn components, and damage.
• Calibration: Perform regular calibration per the manufacturer’s recommendations, especially after moving the scale or after heavy use.

Keeping your livestock scale clean and calibrated ensures accuracy and prolongs its lifespan.

4. Train Animals and Handlers for Better Weighing Results

Animals familiar with the scale are more likely to step onto it calmly. Early habituation and consistent handling routines can significantly reduce stress—especially for young stock like calves.
Handler training matters too. Teach staff how to:

• Lead animals calmly and confidently onto the scale
• Prevent crowding or pushing that causes erratic animal movement
• Use side gates or chutes to guide livestock into the weigh area

A well-trained team and familiar animals help produce repeatable, trustworthy weights each time.

Why Accurate Weighing Matters

Accurate weighing allows you to:

• Monitor weight gain, health, and feed efficiency
• Administer medication and supplements correctly
• Prepare animals for market with confidence
• Track growth trends over time

Whether you’re weighing full-size cattle or using calf scales in Alberta, ranchers trust, quality equipment and good weighing practices make all the difference.

Get the Right Equipment and Support for Your Calf Scales in Alberta

When it comes to your livestock and calf scales in Alberta, don’t take chances. Rely on the experts at Accurate Western Scale for:

• Livestock Scales for Every Farm: From portable platforms to robust herd scales, built for outdoor use and daily farm operations throughout Alberta
• Expert Scale Repair & Calibration: Our technicians offer professional scale repair, maintenance, calibration, and installation services, ensuring your equipment stays accurate and reliable

Ready to upgrade or service your livestock scales? Contact Accurate Western Scale today to get a quote, schedule service, or learn which scale is right for your operation.