6 Best Automated Livestock Weighing Systems With Ear Tag Readers Made Simple
Boost farm efficiency with automated livestock scales and EID readers. We break down the 6 best systems for simple, accurate animal weight management.
You can’t manage what you don’t measure, and nowhere is that truer than with livestock. Guessing an animal’s weight by eye is a recipe for losing money on feed, medication, and sale prices. An automated weighing system with an EID (Electronic Identification) ear tag reader changes the game entirely, turning a chore into a powerful data collection tool.
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Why Automated Weighing Boosts Small Farm Profit
Knowing an animal’s exact weight is the foundation of smart management. An automated system links that weight directly to an individual animal’s ear tag, removing guesswork and saving a massive amount of time. Instead of fumbling with a notepad in the rain, you scan a tag, the weight locks in, and you’re done. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about making better, faster decisions.
This data translates directly to your bottom line. You can calculate average daily gain (ADG) to identify your best and worst performers, ensuring you keep the most efficient genetics. It allows for precise feed calculations, preventing waste on over-fed animals and ensuring others get what they need to thrive. Accurate weights also mean accurate dosing for medications and dewormers, which improves animal health and saves money.
When it comes time to sell, knowing the exact weight means you get paid for every pound. No more relying on the buyer’s scale or a rough estimate. You can also track weight trends to sell animals at their peak market weight, maximizing your return. It transforms your herd from a group of animals into a set of individual assets you can manage with precision.
Gallagher TWR-5: All-in-One Data Management
The Gallagher TWR-5 is more than just a scale indicator; it’s a complete herd management computer in your hand. Its biggest strength is combining the scale readout, EID reader control, and data management into a single, rugged, waterproof device. You can see an animal’s entire history—previous weights, medical treatments, parentage—right there in the yard.
This system shines for farmers who want to make decisions on the spot. As an animal steps onto the scale, you can instantly see its weight gain since the last session and sort it into a "keep," "sell," or "watch" group with a tap on the large touchscreen. The interface is intuitive, designed to be used with gloves on, and the internal battery lasts for a full day of work.
The TWR-5 isn’t the cheapest option, but you’re paying for integration and power. It eliminates the need to sync data between a separate reader and a scale head, reducing potential points of failure. If you value a streamlined workflow and want deep data analysis without heading back to the office, this all-in-one approach is hard to beat.
Tru-Test XR5000 for Advanced Record Keeping
Think of the Tru-Test XR5000 as the data analyst’s choice. While other systems manage data well, the XR5000 is built for those who want to slice, dice, and analyze every possible metric. Its ability to create complex sorting and drafting lists is its standout feature. You can set up rules to automatically flag animals based on multiple criteria, like low weight gain and a specific breeding line.
This indicator is designed to be the central brain of your operation. It stores a massive amount of information for each animal, including custom fields you can define yourself. It connects seamlessly with Tru-Test EID readers and load bars, as well as with farm management software on your computer. This makes it ideal for tracking performance across generations and making long-term genetic decisions.
The tradeoff for this power is a steeper learning curve. It has more menus and options than simpler models, which can be overwhelming at first. However, for the farmer who is serious about performance tracking and wants maximum control over their data, the XR5000 offers a level of detail that few others can match. It’s for those who believe that more data leads to better profit.
Allflex AWR300: Rugged and User-Friendly Design
The Allflex AWR300 is built for the realities of farm work: mud, rain, and the occasional drop. Its primary focus is on durability and straightforward operation. The unit is encased in a tough, waterproof housing with large, tactile buttons that are easy to press even when you’re cold and wet. It gets the job done without fuss.
Where the AWR300 excels is in its simplicity. The workflow is logical: scan the tag, record the weight, and move to the next animal. It doesn’t bog you down with endless menus. It captures the essential data—EID, weight, date—and makes it easy to download later. This is a workhorse, not a show pony.
This system is a perfect fit for farmers who prioritize reliability over advanced features. If your goal is to simply and efficiently capture individual weights without a lot of on-the-spot analysis, the AWR300 is a fantastic choice. It’s a robust tool that you can trust to work every time you pull it out of the truck.
Shearwell EID System: Seamless Tag Integration
Shearwell’s biggest advantage is that they control the entire ecosystem: the tags, the readers, and the software. This tight integration means you’re far less likely to run into compatibility issues. Their EID tags are known for excellent retention rates, and their stick reader connects flawlessly with their scale indicators. It’s a system designed to work together from the ground up.
The Shearwell system is particularly popular with sheep producers but works just as well for cattle. The handheld stick reader is lightweight and has a long reach, reducing the stress of getting close to a nervous animal. The data flows smoothly from the reader to the scale indicator or directly to their farm management app, creating a simple, unified data trail for each animal.
Choosing Shearwell is about choosing peace of mind. Instead of mixing and matching components from different brands and hoping they communicate properly, you get a single, supported solution. For someone starting from scratch or frustrated with finicky tech, this seamless approach removes a major headache from the weighing process.
C-Lock SmartScale 300: Walk-Over Weighing
The C-Lock SmartScale 300 represents a totally different approach to weighing. Instead of bringing the animals to the scale, the scale is placed where the animals want to go, like the only path to their water trough. This is a "walk-over weigher" (WOW), and it captures weights automatically, without you ever having to yard the herd.
A WOW system doesn’t give you a single, perfect weight. Instead, it collects multiple weights over days and weeks, building a trend line for each animal. This is incredibly powerful for monitoring herd health and growth with zero labor and zero stress on the animals. You can spot a problem—like an animal that stops gaining weight—days before you would notice it visually.
The downside is the lack of precision for a single moment in time and the need for a specific pasture layout to funnel animals across the platform. It’s not the right tool for getting a final sale weight. But for hands-off, continuous monitoring of your herd’s performance, a walk-over system provides insights that traditional weighing simply can’t.
Agri-ID EasyWeigh: A Simple, Modular Choice
The Agri-ID EasyWeigh system lives up to its name. It’s designed for the small farmer who needs a reliable, no-frills system without breaking the bank. The core philosophy is modularity. You can start with just the load bars and the indicator, and add an EID reader later when your budget allows.
This system is about getting the essentials right. The indicator is straightforward, displaying a stable weight quickly and clearly. It connects to most standard load bars and EID wands, giving you the flexibility to mix and match components if you find a good deal on a used part. It’s a practical, cost-effective way to get into electronic weighing.
Key Features to Consider in Your Weigh System
Choosing the right system comes down to your specific goals and farm setup. Don’t get sold on features you’ll never use. Instead, focus on what will make the biggest difference in your day-to-day operation.
Start by thinking about your workflow. The biggest decision is between a portable and a permanent setup. Do you need to weigh animals in multiple locations, or will everything happen in one central yard? A system with a handheld indicator and portable aluminum load bars offers flexibility, while a heavy-duty, permanent setup in a chute offers speed and durability.
Next, be honest about your data needs.
- Basic: Do you just need to record weight against an EID number to track growth? A simple system like the Agri-ID or Allflex is perfect.
- Intermediate: Do you want to do on-the-spot sorting and see weight history in the yard? The Gallagher TWR-5 is your tool.
- Advanced: Do you plan to do deep analysis of genetics and performance on a computer? The Tru-Test XR5000 has the power you need.
Finally, consider the total package. The scale indicator is just one piece. You also need load bars to go under your platform or chute, an EID reader (stick or panel), and the EID tags themselves. Ensure all components are compatible with each other. A system from a single brand like Shearwell guarantees this, but many brands use universal standards that allow for mixing and matching. Always check before you buy.
Ultimately, the best automated scale isn’t the one with the most features; it’s the one you’ll actually use. Start with your goals—whether it’s improving genetics, timing sales, or just saving time—and choose the tool that makes achieving them simpler. The right data, collected efficiently, is one of the most powerful tools a small farmer can have.
