cattle weights at market

[dave7840]

We sent 5 fat cattle to market last week and we were disappointed with the weight's they came back at. I weighted them a week before with a iae weight platform thing that goes under the crush. There were two big steers which I weighted at 810kg and 780kg, they both came back at 733kg and three heifers which were between 40 and 50kg less than what I weighted them. Now I assumed that the weigher (which is borrowed) was out so today used some tractor wafer weights ( which I weighted with a crane scale) to test it and on every two I put in (one front &back) they were never more than 5 kg out and all ways under. We worked out that on those 5 minus 10kg loss on transport, we are £415 down. Now I'm not saying my weights are 100% right but I cant believe they were upto 80kgs out. My question is, do people trust the weights at markets?

 

[topground]

About as much as I trust the weights across the Slaughterhouse scales.
The difference is that I can bring my cattle home.

 

[gone up the hill]

We sent 5 fat cattle to market last week and we were disappointed with the weight's they came back at. I weighted them a week before with a iae weight platform thing that goes under the crush. There were two big steers which I weighted at 810kg and 780kg, they both came back at 733kg and three heifers which were between 40 and 50kg less than what I weighted them. Now I assumed that the weigher (which is borrowed) was out so today used some tractor wafer weights ( which I weighted with a crane scale) to test it and on every two I put in (one front &back) they were never more than 5 kg out and all ways under. We worked out that on those 5 minus 10kg loss on transport, we are £415 down. Now I'm not saying my weights are 100% right but I cant believe they were upto 80kgs out. My question is, do people trust the weights at markets?

Cattle will lose between 25 and 50 kilos ( depending on which market ) from their on farm weight and the market weight ( due to stress etc )

Also what time of day did you weigh them?

 

[Hilly]

When i used to sell fat cattle 50kg was normal.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

a load of shite, in them, never been s market man myself, cut out the middle cut

 

[Matt]

market scales are usually about 40kgs lighter. depends how well they stand in scales at market. do you feed your cattle before you take them to market?
we weigh at home before market and deadweight.

 

[Hilly]

a load of shite, in them, never been s market man myself, cut out the middle cut

You mean give them the middle cut for doing nothing, at least at live they have to work for it because its taken dont you kid yourself.

 

[caveman]

Hahaha. He thinks they are too light when he sells and too heavy when he buys. Sold an overage heifer that went 730. I was hoping she would be 600 to look at her. Well chuffed was I.

 

[bobk]

a load of shite, in them, never been s market man myself, cut out the middle cut

Be careful what you wish for

 

[Hilly]

Hahaha. He thinks they are too light when he sells and too heavy when he buys. Sold an overage heifer that went 730. I was hoping she would be 600 to look at her. Well chuffed was I.

I hope you complained to the auctioneer !!! tell him you weighed it at home and it was 600 not 7 fffffffing 30 !!! you corrupt barsteward ! and demand he takes a refund for the extra 130kg`s !

 

[DrWazzock]

My local market always agrees with my scales.

The markets further away are most often 40 kg down. I am sure I don't hose 120 kg of muck out the back of the trailer, so where does the weight go?

I don't think the live weight scales are even monitored by trading standards, or else how would they get away with knocking them back a few kg when lambs are wet?

 

[dave7840]

Cattle will lose between 25 and 50 kilos ( depending on which market ) from their on farm weight and the market weight ( due to stress etc )

Also what time of day did you weigh them?

8 o'clock before feeding

market scales are usually about 40kgs lighter. depends how well they stand in scales at market. do you feed your cattle before you take them to market?
we weigh at home before market and deadweight.

Normal put them on to just hay for the day before.
I know the weights aren't going to be prefect but its was £125 on one animal. We had given up on markets and I think that's going to have to continue

 

[bobk]

They're only buying the meat .. it's all in the price .

 

[gone up the hill]

8 o'clock before feeding
Normal put them on to just hay for the day before.
I know the weights aren't going to be prefect but its was £125 on one animal. We had given up on markets and I think that's going to have to continue

Why are you putting them on hay only the day before??

Im not surprised at all that they have lost so much weight if your doing this!!

 

[Henarar]

I wouldn't change anything the day before and I certainly wouldn't starve them

 

[dave7840]

Why are you putting them on hay only the day before??

Im not surprised at all that they have lost so much weight if your doing this!!

We only sell in small numbers and lack shed space to have them separate for to long. To be fair I use to do three days before

 

[Chae1]

Market scales have to be regularly tested by weights and measures up here. Is it not same in England?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Be careful what you wish for

Dont you think them buyers arnt in their pockets , they know what they can go to except they keep a bit back for themselves

 

[gone up the hill]

We only sell in small numbers and lack shed space to have them separate for to long. To be fair I use to do three days before

Why do you need to separate them before you sell them??

Keep them on the same feed/in the same pen until the minute they walk up the ramp!

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Why do you need to separate them before you sell them??

Keep them on the same feed/in the same pen until the minute they walk up the ramp!

They travel far better if you feed them on roughage for a day, and don't sh!t all over each other in the wagon