When it comes to beef production, appearances don’t always tell the full story.
An animal may look like it is performing well, but without accurate weight information, it can be difficult to know whether it is achieving the liveweight gain you need. For farmers buying and finishing cattle, that difference can have a direct impact on profitability.
Regular cattle weighing gives farmers reliable information to work with, helping you identify strong performers, spot animals that may be falling behind and make more informed decisions about feeding and finishing.
Turn liveweight into useful information
Every extra day an animal spends on the farm comes at a cost. Feed, housing, labour and other inputs all need to be considered against the value the animal is gaining.
Weighing cattle at appropriate intervals allows farmers to monitor liveweight gain rather than relying solely on visual assessment.
Accurate weights can help you to:
• Monitor whether cattle are achieving expected growth rates.
• Identify underperforming animals before additional time and feed are invested.
• Assess whether your current feeding programme is delivering results.
• Make better-informed decisions around grouping, feeding and when animals may be ready for sale or slaughter.
For farmers purchasing cattle with the intention of finishing them, this information can be particularly valuable. Knowing what an animal weighs, and how quickly it is gaining weight, gives you a much clearer picture of its performance and potential return.
Cattle weighing and the 2026 schemes
Cattle weighing is also an important requirement for farmers participating in certain schemes during 2026.
Under the 2026 National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme, eligible calves must be at least 12 weeks old when weighed and must have been registered in the applicant’s herd for at least 10 days. Farmers must weigh at least five eligible calves, up to a maximum of 50. Weights should be submitted to ICBF within seven days of weighing.
For farmers participating in SCEP 2026, calves must be over 50 days old. The cow and calf must be weighed on the same day, and a registered weighing scales must be linked to the herd on the day weighing takes place. Weights should also be submitted within seven days.
Important 2026 deadline
The final deadline for submitting eligible weights to ICBF is 1 November 2026 at 5:30pm.
Farmers should not leave submission until the final deadline. ICBF advises that weights should be submitted within seven days of the actual weighing date.
ICBF-registered cattle weighing scales available from FRS Farm Services
Whether you’re weighing cattle to meet scheme requirements or simply want a better understanding of herd performance, having access to accurate weighing equipment makes the process straightforward.
FRS Farm Services has ICBF-registered cattle weighing scales available for rental through our local offices.
With the 2026 deadline approaching, now is a good time to plan your weighing and avoid leaving it until the last minute.
Contact your local FRS Farm Services office today to find out more about cattle weighing scale rental and availability.
