Study weighs in on growth-monitoring tools

Hipometers and heart-girth tapes are good ways to estimate the bodyweight of heifers. However, a Canadian study shows they may be more accurate for certain age groups than others.

As you can see in the table below, there is a 35-pound discrepancy between the weight estimated by heart-girth tape and that recorded by a scale for calves less than three months old. In addition, heart-girth and hipometer readings were much lower than the scale weight for heifers between 18 and 20.9 months old.

Interpret these results with caution, say the researchers. The number of heifers in some of the age groups was small, which makes it difficult to compare differences between the three methods.

Bottom line: Use a calibrated scale to weigh animals less than three months old and those at or above breeding age.

Estimated bodyweight can vary greatly

Source: October 2006 Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 89, page 3992-3998.

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