Using EID and Weigh Scales to Track Cattle Growth & Health

Regularly weighing EID-tagged cattle and syncing the data to herd management software gives you accurate growth trends, early health warnings, and better marketing and breeding decisions. If you’re still estimating weights or writing numbers on paper, you’re leaving money and insight on the table.

Why Weighing Cattle + EID Data Matters

Accurate, individual animal data is the foundation of performance-driven cattle management. When you pair electronic identification tags (EID) with scales, you can:

• Track individual growth rates (average daily gain, weight gain since last session to identify high performers).
• Spot poor performers early and adjust feed, conduct health checks, or change grouping.
• Plan drafting/marketing by actual weight, not guesswork.
• Record treatments and withdrawals against the correct animal ID and ensure accurate treatment doses are calculated for the weight of each animal.
• Build long-term genetic insight by linking sire/dam data to growth results.
• Reduce data entry errors and save time compared to handwritten or visual tag recording.

What you need to make weighing cattle easy

A functional EID-enabled weighing set-up typically includes the following equipment: 

1. Electronic ID Tags (EID / RFID) in each animal

2. EID Reader (Panel, Wand, or Integrated)

• Detects the tag as the animal enters the crush/weigh area.
• Sends the tag number to the scale head or handheld device.
• Panel readers are hands-free; wands are handheld to offer flexibility in the yards.

3. Weigh Platform / Load Bars

• Load bars sit under a weigh platform, alleyway, weigh crate, or cattle crush.
• Accuracy depends on correct mounting, level footing, and calibration.

4. Scale Indicator / Weigh Head

• Displays live weight and records weight information for each animal.
• Links the EID tag read to the weight record.
• Many models let you add notes: condition, treatments, pregnancy status.

5. Software or Cloud Herd Management Platform

• Receives session data (EID + weight + notes) by either manual data transfer or automatic sync to cloud-based software options.
• Calculates average daily gain, reporting options for trends, and comparisons.
• Generates draft groups, alerts, compliance records, and reports.
• Syncs across devices: yard, office, mobile.

Choosing the Right EID-Enabled Weighing System for your operation

When choosing the right EID-enabled weighing system for your operation, it’s important to consider the unique needs of your farm and livestock. When looking at options, consider these points below:

• Animal Classes: Beef calves, dairy replacements, finishing stock or mixed ages?
• Volume & Throughput: Occasional weighing vs high-throughput yards.
• Handling System Compatibility: Fits crush, alley, or platform dimensions?
• EID Read Range & Speed: Reliable reads in high-interference metal yards?
• Data Entry Options: Add treatments, notes, or body condition in-yard?
• Connectivity: USB only, or wireless/cloud? Does it work offline?
• Software Integration: Syncs with herd records, NAIT/NVDs official movement systems, or farm management software such as FarmIQ and Agriwebb?
• Reporting Power: Average daily gain trends, draft lists, comparing mobs?
• Service & Local Support: Calibration help, repairs, and training available?

Customer Case Study:

New yards make weighing cattle faster and easier

The new Te Pari Cattle Yards and Te Pari's Scale System are making weighing cattle faster and easier for Elliot Morgan, who farms in Central Otago.

"Now it's so easy to weigh cattle, you actually go and weigh them when they need to be weighed. I can have cattle in the yards, weighed and back on their feed in 40-odd minutes," he says.  

Elliot chose to get a complete solution package from Te Pari that includes Cattle Yards, Cattle Crush with Load Bars, integrated EID tag reader and the Te Pari Scale System.

"One of the reasons we went with Te Pari was that they can offer an integrated EID solution, now you know exactly what your animals are doing every time.

You can see where the cattle have come from and see their growth. Having that information affects everything from deciding on the best-performing grasses to booking space at the abattoir.”

"You've got the yards, the crush, the EID reader and the Te Pari scale… everything's all in one place. It's one business; you've only got to make one phone call. That's the beauty of Te Pari being a one-stop shop."

Watch the full video from Elliot Morgan

Te Pari Cattle Solution Packages

Te Pari Livestock Handling Solutions have an integrated weighing system and EID tag reader that is designed to work together for the best efficiency and performance.

By choosing Te Pari, you get everything you need from a single supplier, along with a dedicated support team to guide you every step of the way.

We offer a wide range of options to suit all types of farming operations, including:

Integrated Weigh & EID Packages: Load bars, scale head, and EID tag reader ready to fit to your cattle crush.

Auto Cattle Drafting Systems: Te Pari’s Taurus Auto Drafting System makes processing large numbers of cattle quicker and easier.

Scale Indicators: Te Pari offers a range of options from trusted brands like Tru-Test, Gallagher, and Te Pari’s own Macrostock Scale, letting you capture weights, record EID tags, log treatments, and draft by weight range.

Local Support & Training: We provide installation advice, calibration assistance, staff training, and ongoing technical support for troubleshooting, repairs, and servicing.

Ask us for a recommended package sized to your herd, handling system, and data goals.

Ready to upgrade your weighing equipment?

Contact us for more information and free advice.