Development of a Multi-Scale Walkover Platform for Precision Livestock Management

Abstract

Stocker Cattle Operations are a vital part of the beef cattle industry in Oklahoma. One of the most vital pieces of information for a stocker cattle operation is the weight of each individual management. Walkover Scales have long been used to predict the static weight of livestock from their dynamic walkover weight. However, current scales are a solid platform consisting of one scale and load bars. Single scales provide difficulty in distinguishing between cattle data during crowding events. Multiple scales in a row attempts to relieve this problem. A series of two scales and a series three scales were built to test this question. The series of scales, or a walkover platform, analyzed the walkover weight data from stocker cattle using various analysis methods.