The modernisation of livestock farming plays an increasingly important role in agriculture, and one of its fundamental tools is the application of modern digital scales. For livestock farms and family enterprises, these devices not only provide accurate measurement but also assist with record-keeping, optimise feeding and contribute to monitoring animal health.
The use of modern scales not only increases speed and accuracy but also significantly simplifies the daily routines of livestock keepers. Let us look at why the use of these devices is beneficial!
Why Use Modern Scales?
Compared to traditional mechanical scales, digital scales offer numerous advantages:
Various types of scales are found on livestock farms, each serving specific purposes. Below, we present the most commonly used variants and their advantages.
Types of Scales Used on Livestock Farms:
Livestock scales: Modern livestock scales are fully electronic, equipped with a pen system.
- Construction: Four load cells are installed under the scale frame, connected to the display through a junction box.
- Materials: For durability, they are often made in hot-dip galvanised, stainless steel or painted versions.
- Installation: They do not require special foundations and can be placed on a flat concrete surface.
- Usability: The pen height must be adjusted to the size of the animals (e.g. lower for pigs, higher for cattle).
- Door systems: The doors at both ends can be side-opening, lift-up or sliding types.
- Computer connection: Data can be recorded and analysed digitally, helping to optimise feeding.
The efficiency of farm operations depends largely on the accurate measurement of incoming and outgoing goods. This is where weighbridges provide the solution.
Weighbridges: On larger farms, weighbridges are used to weigh goods (feed, fuel, live animals).
- Construction: Steel and reinforced concrete versions exist.
- Installation: Can be ramp-on (surface-mounted) or shallow-pit type.
- Weighing capacity: For weighing an articulated truck with trailer, an 18-metre long, 3-metre wide scale with a 60-tonne capacity is required.
- Safety: Optional accessories can include infrared barriers and camera systems to ensure accurate measurement.
- Data management: Scale data can be recorded on a computer, and the measurement process can be tracked.
Warehouse scales
Various scales are used in warehouses for weighing bagged and boxed goods.
- Design: Single-cell (max 600 kg capacity) and four-cell platform scales (up to 3-5 tonne capacity) variants exist.
- Connectivity: Suitable for computerised data processing.
Tank scales
Weighing silos and feed tanks is of paramount importance, as it helps prevent feed shortages or overfilling.
- Installation: Load cells are installed under the legs of the tanks.
- Protection system: The structures are equipped with tilt preventers and flexible connectors.
Scale-equipped feed mixing systems
These tank scales are equipped with dosing units and control electronics, enabling recipe-based feed mixing.
Technological progress does not leave livestock farms untouched either. Through digitalisation, livestock farming becomes more efficient and sustainable.
The Role of Digital Scales in the Future of Livestock Farming
In the European Union, more advanced farms already operate fully automated systems where animals have individual identifiers and feed regulation is carried out automatically based on measurement data. These advanced technologies are becoming increasingly accessible to Hungarian farms as well, making livestock farming not only more efficient but also more sustainable.
Summary
Digital scales are indispensable for modern livestock farms. They not only provide a fast and accurate measurement process but also help monitor animal health and growth. Automated systems and data-driven solutions are increasingly gaining ground, promoting the development of modern livestock farming. If you too would like to make your farm more efficient and future-proof, it is worth considering the introduction of a modern scale system.
