Reduce Cattle Stress for Better Weight Gains

Every time you run cattle through a chute and onto a scale, you're creating stress that directly impacts your bottom line. Here's why it matters and what you can do about it.

The Cost of Stress

Research shows that cattle stressed by handling can experience:

• Reduced weight gain for 3-7 days after handling
• Suppressed immune function making them more susceptible to illness
• Decreased feed efficiency as energy goes to stress response instead of growth
• Lower meat quality due to elevated cortisol levels

Traditional Weighing = Stress

Conventional scale weighing involves:

1. Gathering cattle from pasture

2. Moving them through unfamiliar spaces

3. Separating individuals from the herd

4. Forcing them onto a scale platform

5. Restraining them while weight is recorded

Each step triggers the fight-or-flight response, flooding the animal's system with stress hormones.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Studies on handling stress show:

• Average 2-3% weight loss immediately after handling
• Reduced average daily gain (ADG) of 0.5-1 lb for 3-5 days
• For a 100-head operation, that's 150-500 pounds of lost gain per weighing event

If you weigh quarterly, you're potentially losing 600-2,000 pounds of gain annually—worth $900-3,000 at current prices.

Contactless Weighing Changes Everything

With LiDAR-based weighing, you:

• Approach cattle in their normal environment
• Take measurements from a safe distance
• Complete the process in seconds
• Never separate animals from their herd

The result? Zero stress, zero lost gains.

Beyond Weighing: A Low-Stress Philosophy

Contactless weighing fits into a broader low-stress handling approach:

• Frequent, gentle contact builds trust
• Predictable routines reduce anxiety
• Minimal disruption to normal behavior
• Better animal welfare and better profits

Real Results

Ranchers who've switched to contactless weighing report:

• More frequent weight monitoring (weekly vs. quarterly)
• Better early detection of health issues
• Improved average daily gains
• Calmer, easier-to-handle cattle overall

Making the Switch

Transitioning to low-stress weighing doesn't require changing your entire operation. Start by:

1. Weighing cattle in pasture instead of in chutes

2. Increasing weighing frequency to normalize the process

3. Using the data to make better management decisions

Your cattle—and your profit margins—will thank you.

Ready to eliminate weighing stress from your operation?