Successfully weaning, breeding and identifying health issues in your animals requires you to have accurate weight measurements. However, there are several variables you need to consider when weighing your livestock, any of which can lead to incorrect readings and consequent profit losses. Here are four tips to get the most precise measurements possible when weighing your animals.

Choose the best livestock scale for your needs

Livestock scales can be permanent or portable. A permanent scale is sturdy and reliable. Once you set it up, there’s not much more to do. However, you’ll need to transport your animals to the scale, which can be difficult and inefficient. Additionally, if your permanent scale is electric you’ll need to ensure the weigh location is near a protected outlet with AC power. It’s important that you run as little cable as possible. A portable livestock scale, on the other hand, gives you the flexibility of weighing your animals in multiple locations which is more efficient and can increase productivity.

Choose a weigh location that’s stable

Balance is essential for getting the most exact measurements. The animals will inevitably move around, and if your scale is on an uneven surface, all that motion may cause the equipment to shift. That can lead to inaccurate results. A scale on an uneven surface may also be dangerous for the animals as they enter and exit the scale.

Work efficiently to minimize stress

When being weighed, cattle can lose up to three percent of their body mass. Cattle shrink happens because animals get stressed when they’re transported. One way to help keep your cattle relaxed is to use a portable scale, as it will ensure you won’t have to move your animals around as much. You can also decrease the stress associated with weighing by moving your livestock more efficiently. For example, you could place a table beside the scale to hold all your tagging and vaccination equipment. Preparing everything beforehand and keeping it in one place will decrease the amount of time your animals spend in the chute.

Check for obstructions and interference

Objects on your weigh bed such as rocks, sticks and manure can affect your measurements. Also, check that all the cables running from the load cells are free of kinks and aren’t snagging anything. Coil any extra cables and keep them away from animals and human traffic.

Livestock scales in Alberta

At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we carry top-quality livestock scales. Whether you need to weigh cattle, horses, pigs or sheep, our scales can tolerate the most extreme weather conditions, without getting damaged. We also provide regular testing and recalibration services. Contact us today to learn more.

Many industries use floor scales. This is because these measuring devices are versatile and able to easily and accurately weigh large loads. Here are six industries that may benefit from having this type of scale in their facility.

The retail industry

Floor scales are common in retail businesses because of their large weigh capacity. In addition, commercial businesses use them to ensure their products are accurately packaged for distribution. They’re also beneficial for keeping track of available stock. Plus, they can be used for check-weighing, too.

The agricultural industry

Farms need floor scales to weigh animals. Weighing livestock helps calculate the dosage of medicine and supplements needed, as well as how much food and water each animal should get. In addition, farmers sell livestock such as cows and pigs by weight, so profit and loss are determined by a floor scale’s reading. Farms also use floor scales to weigh feed.

The aviation industry

Airlines depend on floor scales to accurately weigh luggage and other cargo that gets loaded onto each flight. Luggage comes in all shapes and sizes, and a floor scale can quickly weigh each item. This ensures the total cargo weight is under the allowed limit.

The industrial industry

Manufacturers, warehouses, shipyards and dockyards all use industrial floor scales for weighing and shipping heavy cargo such as large crates and pallets. They’re also used for check-weighing packaged items for transportation.

The food production industry

The food industry uses floor scales to ensure recipes are followed in large-scale processing facilities. They’re employed to measure all the ingredients including solids, powders and liquids. Additionally, they’re used to weigh the final product during packaging.

The recycling industry

Waste removal companies and scrap metal recycling providers use floor scales to weigh goods they want to purchase. Recycling centres measure what they bring in and what they send out every day to determine how much waste they’re collecting and recycling.

Floor scales in Alberta

At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we have a variety of floor scales that can be customized to the specific needs of you industry. Our floor scales are easy to use and durable for long-term operations. They’re all legal for trade. Plus, they can also be installed above or below ground, depending on your needs. Contact us today for more information or to request a free quote.

A retail scale can be an invaluable tool for various businesses, and many are equipped to connect to a printer wirelessly. Indeed, printing your weight data has more advantages than using a scale alone. Here are four benefits you should know about.

It improves customer satisfaction

By printing weight data onto labels, you’ll be able to better inform your customers about what they’re buying. Customers can see the weight of an item and know what they’re getting. Customize your labels to include your business’ name, phone number and name of the product.

It reduces errors

Printing data straight from your scale reduces the risk of human errors. Afterall, an employee could easily write down a scale reading incorrectly or re-enter it into a database the wrong way. Even the smallest typo can lead to a faulty accounting inventory and lost profits. In addition, a digital printout is easier to read than a hand-written one, so there’s less chance of measurements being misinterpreted. Plus, you can print out the same label as many times as you need.

It enhances efficiency

Printing directly from your scale eliminates steps in your data recording process, thereby saving time and energy. There’s no need for staff to rewrite or re-enter scale data. Using a label printer, you can attach the information to printed records to provide a clear copy of the weight, product, date and time the measurement took place, and the employee who used the scale.

It facilitates shipment tracking

If your business sends a lot of packages, you can cut down on the time it takes to prepare them for shipping and tracking. Simply print a sticky label straight from your scale with the key details. You can even include the destination name and address. The printed information will make it easier for your courier to deliver your packages to the correct location.

Scale printers in Calgary and Alberta

At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we offer high-speed and compact retail printers that are designed to help you get the job done quickly. The Rice Lake Survivor SST3 Washdown Printer features a stainless steel enclosure to seal out moisture and dust. It’s perfect for printing in meat, food, and chemical plants. We also sell scale accessories such as load cells, mounts and software applications. Contact us today to learn more or get a quote.

Scales are an essential tool for any business selling products by weight. However, there are a variety of retail scales to choose from with different features and functions. And while every commercial business has its own unique needs, there are some basic attributes to look for in a retail scale. Here are four of them.

Scale certification

Most importantly, your retail scale needs to be legal. Measurement Canada, an arm of the federal government, requires all scales used in a retail capacity to be inspected and certified as “legal for trade.” Scale certification protects the customer from paying too much for a product and shields you from financial losses due to measurement errors.

PLU functionality

If you have a business that sells a variety of items at different price points, then a retail scale with a Price Look-Up (PLU) feature is an invaluable tool. PLUs allow you to store products and their respective prices in the scale’s computer. It allows the cashier to weigh and price products with the push of a button, instead of inputting a bunch of numbers. A PLU function will make your business more efficient and improve the customer experience.

Waterproofness

No matter what your business sells, a retail scale that’s waterproof will make your life a whole lot easier. Whether you’re a grocer, run a deli or sell your products at an outdoor farmers market, waterproof scales are easiest to clean and sanitize. A scale with sturdy housing made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) will keep moisture, dust and debris from damaging the internal mechanisms. Look for a model with at least an IP66 rating.

Portability

Depending on what type of business you operate, portability can be a useful option in a retail scale. A rechargeable battery will allow you to move it to different locations in your store or to travel with it to markets, exhibitions and trade shows. In addition, you might find it useful to have a dual LCD screens (so the buyer and seller can both see the display), printing capacity and adjustable feet to ensure the scale is level.

Retail scales in Alberta

At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we offer a variety of retail scales that will suit any business selling products by weight. We’re accredited by Measurement Canada and all our scales are legal for trade. We are also authorized to perform scale inspections. Our retail scales are available for sale or rent. To learn more or to get a free quote, contact us today.