Case study: An evaluation of the potential to measure real-time body weight of feedlot cattle

• Published in: Professional Animal Scientist Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 295 - 299
• Main Authors: Kolath, W.H, Huisma, C, Kerley, M.S
• Format: Journal Article Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: Champaign American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists 01.06.2007
• Subjects: body weight; Cattle; Data collection; feedlots; Feeds; Hogs; Marketing; Mean square errors; prediction; Real time; Studies; Weight
• ISSN: 1080-7446; 1525-318X

The correlation of front-end BW (partial BW of the animal where only the front 2 legs are weighed) to total BW (BW of the entire animal) and the ability to use front-end BW to forward-project BW were assessed in this study. The objectives of this experiment were to determine if front-end BW could be captured individually in a grouped lot of calves, to determine the correlation of front-end BW to total BW, and to determine if front-end BW could be used to forward-project total BW via regression equations. One hundred sixty-six crossbred heifers (average initial BW 472.4 kg, SD = 36.8) had front-end BW measured for 62 d at a commercial feedlot using an in-pen weighing system located at the water trough. The in-pen weighing system consisted of 6 individual weighing stalls mounted on both sides of the watering trough and was designed to allow only one animal per position at any given time. Animal drinking behavior and BW was measured each time the animal visited the water trough. The majority of animals were weighed by the system 4 times/d or less. Less than 10% of the animals were weighed by the system more than 8 times/d. Front-end BW was correlated (r = 0.97) to BW measured using chutes equipped with a scale. Body weight was forward-projected via regression equations using 15, 30, and 45 d of front-end BW data. Analysis showed that 30 d of front-end BW data could be used to predict future BW. In-pen BW was uniformly correlated to total BW and could be used to calculate ADG and forward-project BW of cattle in the feedlot. The potential to quantify and forward-project animal performance and BW could enhance cattle management and marketing. front-end body weight body weight prediction drinking behavior feedlot