How to Estimate the Weight of Beef Cattle with Measurements
how to measure cattle ~ measurement in inches and weight in pounds

Properly calibrated livestock scales are the most accurate and consistent method for determining livestock body weight. But unless you run a large herd of cattle, it may not be cost effective to buy a livestock scale. A "guesstimate", or visual observation is usually very inaccurate and not recommended when determining medication dosages, rations, or any other time an accurate weight is important. Small herd owners can fairly estimate the weight of their cattle by measuring them. There are 2 methods to measure for cattle's estimated weight (#1 is the most accurate of the two).

1. Using two measurements (heart girth and body length) and a formula
2. Using one measurement (heart girth) and a chart (or a livestock weigh tape)

Measuring the hearth girth (used in both methods)

• It is recommended that the animal be kept off feed and water for 12 hours before measuring. An overnight shrink is enough.
• Use a long, wide, cloth (soft) measuring tape. (As a guide, a 72" tape should measure up to a 1000 lb animal)
• When measuring, get the animal into position with all four legs set square under its body and the head in normal position.
• Make sure the measure tape lays flat and is not twisted. It is easier with 2 people, one on each side.
• Wrap the measuring tape around the body at the smallest circumference just behind the shoulders, and pull it tight to measure.
• Ideally, you are measuring a relaxed, happy, halter-broke animal.

Method #1: using 2 measurements and a formula.
Other than a livestock scale, method 1 is the most accurate way to estimate weight with measurements. Use a common tape measure to determine the heart girth and body length measurement. These measurements are then used in the formula below to calculate the animal’s weight.

MEASURE: (A-B) body length measured from point of shoulder to point-of-rump or pin bone.

MEASURE: (C) heart girth circumference, around the body behind the shoulder, over the heart (a point slightly behind the shoulder blade), and very close to the forelegs. Using these 2 measurements, calculate body weight estimate with this formula:

FORMULA (heart girth X heart girth X body length) ÷ 300 = approx animal weight e.g., if a miniature bull has a heart girth of 70 inches and a body length of 65 inches, the calculation would be ... ... ... ... (70" x 70" x 65") ÷ 300 = x lbs., or: 70 x 70 = 4900 ... ... 4900 x 65 = 318,500 ... ... 318,500 ÷ 330 = 965 lbs.

METHOD #1 formulas are also available for other Livestock:

Method #2: using just the heart-girth measurement
Beef Cattle Weigh Chart: Use a (soft) measure tape along with the chart provided below. Although not taking the length of body into account with this method, using just the heart girth measurement still gets a decent estimate of weight.

There are mixed reviews whether heart girth measurements for newborn calf weights are very accurate,
but it might be interesting to experiment with...

There is also a measure tape for newborn calf's foot circumference--Read more here...

There are Livestock Weigh Tapes that can be used instead of referring to charts. Weigh tapes are specially marked to measure the heart girth and convert that measurement to a fairly accurate estimate of the animal’s body weight printed on the tape. Weigh tapes are easy to use and can be utilized effectively for monitoring purposes--especially when used in a consistent manner by the same person. They are inexpensive and can be purchased for beef or dairy cattle (as well as sheep, goats, hogs or horses).

NOTE: Weigh tapes may be used effectively for livestock, but they are not highly accurate for pregnant animals or those with extreme conformational irregularities. Keep a record that you can refer back to over time.

How Much Does Your Animal Weigh?
Susan Pater, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development,
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Cochise County
cals.arizona.edu: pdf.

SOURCES:
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
4-H Youth Development, University of Arizona
Beef Improvement Federation of North America
Tractor Supply Company
Texas A & M University
Vision Systems
Enasco

Homestead & Miniature Cattle Directory Homestead Cattle Association Mini Cattle Registry Bucking V Outfit, LLC. enterprises, est. 1990 Maricopa County, Arizona

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