This practical guide shows the right cattle scale setup for three herd sizes in Australia. 0 to 20 head. 20 to 150 head. 150 plus head. You will see what platform and load bars to pick, how to choose a Bluetooth indicator, where to place the deck in your race, and the simple way to send data to the cloud with the AgriEID Digital Farm System. You can order scale kits online at cattlescales.com.au today.
For a deeper shopping checklist you can also read this long form article on how to choose the best cattle scales in Australia.
Contents
- Why herd size changes your scale choice
- How cattle scales work in plain English
- Quick compare by herd size
- Best setup for 0 to 20 head
- Best setup for 20 to 150 head
- Best setup for 150 plus head
- Yard layout and installation that works first time
- Why the AgriEID Digital Farm System stands out
- Simple return on investment examples
- Three short case studies
- AgriEID compared with legacy brands
- Buyer checklist
- Common questions
- Ready to order online
Why herd size changes your scale choice
Herd size decides how often you weigh, how fast cattle must flow through the race, and how much time you can allow for setup and cleaning. A small herd is about light gear that is easy to move and quick to place on a flat patch. A mid sized herd needs stronger platforms and bars, plus an indicator that stores repeat sessions without fuss. Large herds live on throughput and uptime, so the platform is permanent, the bars are long and protected, and the indicator locks fast even with movement.
The job only has three parts. Get all three right and the rest is easy.
- Platform or crate. The surface the animal stands on. It spreads weight, keeps hooves confident and protects the load cells. Length and width must match your race and the largest stock class you run.
- Load bars. Two bars with load cells inside. They sit under the platform or under your crush. Length and capacity must match the platform and your heaviest animals.
- Indicator. The box with the screen. It locks stable weight, stores sessions, connects by Bluetooth and sends records to your phone or tablet so the data lands in AgriEID without paper.
When gear matches herd size you get repeatable accuracy and calmer staff and stock. When gear does not match, you see slow locks, cables in the way and a pile of notes that nobody wants to enter at night.
How cattle scales work in plain English
Each load bar has two load cells. When weight is applied the cells change resistance. The indicator reads that change and converts it into kilograms on the screen. The platform spreads weight over both bars. That is why a firm level base makes such a difference. The animal can shift a hoof but the load is shared and the reading is steady.
Accuracy rests on four habits.
- Set the platform on a level base with no rail or gate contact.
- Zero the indicator at the start of each session and again after a long break.
- Use a stable lock mode so small movements are averaged and the reading lands quickly.
- Protect cables with conduit and keep them clear of hooves and hinges.
Portable and permanent mounts can both be very accurate. For portable use a compacted pad or small slab is enough. For permanent use bolt the crush to footings, square the bars, and protect the cable path so it lasts for years.
Quick compare by herd size
| Herd size | Platform and bars | Indicator features | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 20 head | Portable platform about 1200 mm long, 600 to 800 mm wide. Bars around 600 mm with capacity above the heaviest animal plus the platform. | Large digits, fast stable lock, simple session memory, Bluetooth link to phone or tablet. | Lifestyle and small blocks, one person jobs, weights during routine husbandry. |
| 20 to 150 head | Heavier platform or crush mount. Bars 700 to 1000 mm with higher capacity and sealed connectors. | Stable averaging, session templates, offline storage, Bluetooth to AgriEID and clean CSV export. | Family farms that weigh more than once a year and want tidy records without paperwork. |
| 150 plus head | Permanently mounted platform or crush. Long high capacity bars, protected cabling, durable deck surface, straight approaches. | Very fast lock, three way draft support, large offline memory, direct sync to the cloud. | Higher throughput yards that weigh often and make weight based decisions all year. |
Best setup for 0 to 20 head
When the herd is small you want gear that is light, simple and dependable. The aim is to weigh as part of jobs you already do. You do not want to plan a special day or bring in extra hands just to get a number. A compact platform on short bars is the cleanest answer. You can carry it with a mate, set it on a flat pad near the race, and be done in minutes.
What to look for
- Platform. About 1200 mm long with a grippy surface so hooves do not slide. Low profile edges keep cattle moving.
- Load bars. Around 600 mm with sealed connectors and a generous capacity. Choose more capacity than you think you need. Confidence matters.
- Indicator. Clear digits that are easy to read in daylight, one touch zero and lock, reliable battery, and Bluetooth to the AgriEID app.
- Power. Internal battery with a simple 240 volt charger that lives in the shed.
Yard layout that helps flow
- Place the platform in line with the race and away from rubbing points.
- Keep the screen out of glare. A small bit of shade helps more than people expect.
- Weigh during drenching or visual checks so you add no extra handling.
Recommended path with AgriEID
Start with a compact AgriEID platform on 600 mm bars and a Bluetooth indicator. Order the kit at cattlescales.com.au. Pair your phone or tablet once. From that point weights land in your AgriEID account automatically. You can review the session later on the web without retyping anything. This is the lightest way to collect growth data and correct treatment rates for a small herd.
Who this suits
Hobby farmers and small blocks who want correct dosing, growth tracking and a clear record for buyers. The kit stores easily and is ready to go at short notice.
Best setup for 20 to 150 head
Mid sized herds need more strength and smarter data capture. You will weigh a few times each year and want a quick routine so the day does not drag. A robust platform or crush mount is the usual move. The base may be older and uneven, so give the bars a level footing and protect cables from hooves and hinges. Indicators with Bluetooth keep the session together so you do not chase paperwork later.
Key features to insist on
- Platform or crush mount. Durable non slip surface. Ramps that do not bounce. Frame that resists twist.
- Load bars. 700 to 1000 mm with heavy wall housings. Sealed cables and connectors keep dust and water out.
- Indicator. Stable averaging, session templates for repeat jobs, offline storage, Bluetooth to AgriEID and a clean CSV when your adviser asks for numbers.
- Power. Battery for the yard, mains charger for the workshop, and a low battery warning that you can trust.
Example yard flow that saves time
Race to platform. Short hold. Draft to two pens. One person manages flow and gates. One person watches the indicator and confirms each lock on the phone. Add an NLIS reader so animal ID and weight save together inside the AgriEID app. Now you have dates, weights and IDs stored in one place. You can check gain since last weigh, draft by weight range and print a summary for the agent.
AgriEID setup for this herd size
Choose an AgriEID heavy duty platform with mid length bars and a Bluetooth indicator. The indicator locks fast under movement and stores long sessions. The app records weights offline during the day and syncs when you return to coverage. You can compare platforms and kits at cattlescales.com.au and activate your AgriEID account at agrieid.com.au.
Who this suits
Family farms that weigh at weaning, joining, preg testing and before sale. The gear is strong enough for mixed age mobs and simple enough for one or two people to run without stress.
Best setup for 150 plus head
Large herds live on throughput and uptime. A permanent platform or crush mount with long bars is the right choice. Indicators should lock fast even with movement, store a full day of records, and control a draft gate when needed. Data must sync to the cloud so you can run reports across devices and seasons.
What matters most at scale
- Platform or crush. Strong deck with ramp protectors so a sideways bump does not touch the bars. A simple footing keeps everything square for years.
- Load bars. Long high capacity bars with stainless fasteners and sealed connectors. Keep the cable path inside conduit from day one.
- Indicator. Very fast lock under movement, three way draft support, large offline storage, Bluetooth and direct sync to AgriEID.
- Power. Long life battery and the option to run from mains when the race is near a switchboard.
Throughput made practical
Across two hundred head a slow lock wastes real time. Choose indicators that lock quickly and keep working when cattle shuffle a hoof. Mount the screen at head height with no glare and no dust. Protect cables with conduit and gentle bends. Build a simple routine so one person runs cattle and one person checks each weight and ID. Repeatable habits make the numbers reliable.
AgriEID setup for this herd size
Select an AgriEID long deck platform or a crush mounted system with long bars and a pro level Bluetooth indicator. Connect to the AgriEID Digital Farm System to draft by weight, see growth and keep a clean compliance record for buyers and finance. You can build a system to suit your yard at cattlescales.com.au.
Yard layout and installation that works first time
- Pick the spot. Choose a level section of the race or pour a small pad. Avoid any rail or gate that can touch the animal while it stands on the deck.
- Place bars and deck. Sit the deck on the bars so it does not rock or twist. Keep cables tidy and clear of hooves and hinges.
- Zero the indicator. Do this at the start and after long breaks. A quick zero prevents drift across the session.
- Run a test. Use a known weight to confirm accuracy before you start with cattle.
- Manage flow. Calm cattle give faster locks and more repeatable weights. A short hold just before the deck helps a lot.
- Protect cables. Use conduit and leave generous curves. Do not run cables under sharp edges.
Why the AgriEID Digital Farm System stands out
Hardware is half the story. The AgriEID Digital Farm System brings the other half. It connects your Bluetooth cattle scales, your NLIS tag reader and your phone or tablet so every session lands in the cloud without double entry. The system has been built with Australian yards in mind. It is designed for sunlight, dust and days where coverage is patchy.
What you get in plain terms
- Fast capture. The indicator locks stable weight. The AgriEID app receives the weight with date and time. If you connect an NLIS reader, the ID streams in and links to the weight automatically.
- Offline first. Data stores on your device during the yard day and syncs to the cloud later. You can keep working without service.
- Draft lists in minutes. Create weight ranges and turn them into a draft list. Share the list with your team or agent.
- Growth and health records. See charts across months and seasons. Pair weights with treatments and notes. This is the simple history buyers like to see.
- CSV export and simple sharing. Export a clean CSV whenever you need or share secure access with an adviser. No locked files and no awkward formats.
- Australian support. Local help and parts when you need them. Straight answers and turnaround that fits the farm calendar.
AgriEID also offers a starter period with the software free so you can get comfortable before you commit. After that the plan is cost effective for family farms and larger operations. You can start now at agrieid.com.au and order hardware at cattlescales.com.au.
Simple return on investment examples
Good scales pay for themselves when they help you draft earlier, feed smarter and sell at the right time. Here are three simple examples you can adjust to your own numbers. Prices are round figures and the point is direction, not to predict a market.
Example one. Small herd 18 head
Average live weight 320 kg. By weighing monthly you pick out five slow growers and move them to a better paddock and a small grain ration for six weeks. You lift their gain by 0.25 kg per day. That is about 10 kg extra per head across the period. At 3.50 dollars per kilogram that is 35 dollars per head or 175 dollars across the five. You also set drench rates by weight and save about 40 dollars on product waste across the season. The compact kit from CattleScales is already on the way to paying for itself inside the first year, and you now have clean records in AgriEID for future seasons.
Example two. Family farm 120 head
Average live weight 420 kg. You plan to sell a draft when they sit between 430 and 460 kg. Weighing lets you hit that window instead of guessing. A modest 10 cents per kilogram improvement across sixty sale cattle is 6 dollars per head, or 360 dollars across the draft. You also draft a tail of twenty and run them on a higher energy ration for four weeks which adds another 8 kg each. At 3.50 dollars per kilogram that is 560 dollars. Add reduced waste on treatment and the whole setup is clearly positive across the year, and the time saving is real because AgriEID keeps the session tidy without paperwork.
Example three. Larger herd 300 head
You add a permanent platform and long bars with an indicator that supports three way draft logic. Across a long day the fast lock saves ten seconds per head. That is fifty minutes saved with staff and cattle both less stressed. You draft groups by weight with fewer mis sorts, which reduces rehandling and bruising. Even before you count price gains, the labour saving and the more accurate treatment rates cover a large part of the investment. The data set in AgriEID then supports decisions with your adviser for the next season.
Three short case studies
Small block near town 15 head
The owners work off farm. They installed a compact AgriEID platform on a small slab beside the race. Weighing happens during jobs they already do. The indicator connects to a phone. Records sync to AgriEID that night. They now know growth, correct drench rates and sale timing without late night spreadsheets.
Family place with mixed ages 110 head
The family moved to a heavier platform with mid length bars and added an NLIS reader. Weigh days run with two people. One handles flow. One watches the screen and confirms each lock on the phone. The app links ID and weight and creates a draft list in minutes. The result is less stress and a clear record for the agent.
Commercial herd 500 head
The manager upgraded to a long deck crush mount with protected cabling. The indicator locks fast and controls a draft gate. Data syncs to AgriEID over the day through a tablet. Reports are shared with the buyer and the bank at month end. The yard crew like the routine and the numbers back up decisions on feed and sale timing.
AgriEID compared with legacy brands
Legacy brands like TruTest and Gallagher have served the market for a long time. Many farms still use their gear. The AgriEID approach focuses on value, ease of use and open data while keeping accuracy and durability. Here is a simple comparison in everyday terms.
| Topic | AgriEID | Typical legacy bundle |
|---|---|---|
| Price to get started | Lower entry price for platform bars and Bluetooth indicator. Suits small and mid herds without a large outlay. | Often higher with features that smaller herds do not use. |
| Software | AgriEID Digital Farm System with simple mobile app and cloud sync. Offline first. Clean CSV export. | Often more complex with learning time and formats that are harder to share. |
| Data flow | Bluetooth from indicator to phone or tablet. NLIS reader can pair so ID links to weight automatically. | Some bundles require manual steps or cable transfers after yard work. |
| Support | Australian help and parts that match local yard conditions. | Support varies and can be slower during busy periods. |
| Flexibility | Start small and upgrade bars or move to a crush mount later while keeping the same AgriEID workflow. | Upgrades can mean new software or new file types. |
If you want advice from a real person, reach out through cattlescales.com.au. The team can match a platform, bars and indicator to your yard and your goals. You can also start a free software trial at agrieid.com.au and see how the workflow feels before you order hardware.
Buyer checklist
| Item | What good looks like | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Solid deck with grip. Length for your race and stock class. Easy to clean and move. | Comfort for cattle, steady flow and repeatable weights. |
| Load bars | Sealed connectors, correct length, high capacity, cables protected in conduit. | Accuracy and long life in dusty and wet yards. |
| Indicator | Fast stable lock, large digits, strong battery, Bluetooth, offline storage and simple export. | Confident numbers and no late night data entry. |
| Mounting | Level base, no rail contact, crush bolts tight, cable runs clear of hooves and hinges. | Stops drift and prevents damage. |
| Service | Australian supplier that answers the phone and ships parts quickly. | Keeps you working during busy windows. |
Want a deeper dive. You can read the detailed buyer guide on cattlescales.com.au.
Common questions
Do I need a platform or can I mount bars under my crush
Both can work very well. A platform is simple and portable for small and mid sized herds. A crush mount is compact and suits regular weighing. Choose based on how often you weigh and the space you have in the race.
What capacity should I choose
Pick bars with healthy headroom above the heaviest animal plus the platform. Extra capacity protects the cells and improves life.
How do I get accurate weights
Level base, no rail contact, calm flow and a stable lock setting on the indicator. Zero before each session and keep cables protected.
Will this setup work without mobile coverage
Yes. The indicator and the AgriEID app store data offline and sync when coverage returns.
Can I start small and upgrade later
Yes. Start with a compact platform and Bluetooth indicator. As your herd grows you can add longer bars or move to a crush mount and keep the same AgriEID workflow.
How is AgriEID different
AgriEID focuses on a clean farm workflow. Hardware prices are fair. The Digital Farm System is simple to use. Data stays open so you can export a CSV any time. Support is Australian and fast.
Can I export my records
Yes. Export a CSV or share secure access with your adviser. You can also view trend charts on the web and in the mobile app.
Who can help me choose
The team at cattlescales.com.au can match a platform, bars and indicator to your yard, your herd size and your goals.
Ready to order online
AgriEID cattle scales are built for Australian yards and the AgriEID Digital Farm System keeps your records tidy without paperwork. Order the right kit for your herd size today from cattlescales.com.au. Create your account at agrieid.com.au and start with the free trial. If you want help from a real person, reach out through the contact page and the team will call you back.