Weight without a scale
Tape the heart girth and the body length. You get the approximate live weight of the steer or the pig.
Approximate live weight
448 kg
Between 404 and 493 kg
Check the measurements: they do not fit an animal.
A tape is off by 5 to 10 %. It is good for tracking the same animal’s gain and for dosing, not for selling by the kilo.
How it works
How we work it out
We use the Schaeffer formula taught by extension services: weight in pounds equals heart girth squared times body length, in inches, divided by 300 for cattle and by 400 for pigs. The conversion happens inside, so you measure in centimetres and read kilos.
How to measure well
With the animal standing square on level ground, head forward. Tape snug but not tight, and measure twice. If the belly is full of water or grass, wait: real weight moves several kilos between morning and evening.
Common questions
- How accurate is a weight tape?
- On animals of normal build the error is usually 5 to 10 % against a scale. It is less accurate on very fat, very thin, late-pregnant or very young animals.
- Does it work for calves?
- Yes, with more error. Below about 100 kg the tape drifts more; if you can, weigh them on a hanging scale.
- Why not use the girth alone?
- Some tables use girth only, but two animals with the same chest can differ a lot in length. Adding length improves the estimate.