The National Beef Association recommends weighing cattle before they leave a farm, on route to their final destination, at the cattle market or abattoir. Weighing cattle beforehand will allow the farmer to correctly find the net return of selling his cattle after fees, such as transportation and abattoir costs have been deducted.

NBA suggest that farmers could earn, on average an extra £12 - £16 per beef cattle by comparing the ex-farm weight of cows and the net price paid after all deductions have been made. The farmer would then sell as many of his cattle, as possible onto the company that was prepared to pay the highest price per head.

NBA director, Kim Haywood explains, "our advice to those who have not yet embarked on this important exercise is to set up a system in which they weigh all their finished cattle at the same stage in the routine during which they leave the farm, delay estimates of income earned until they have received a cheque to bank, which will be net of all deductions, and then put a consistent charge against transport."

Labels: cattles, cows, farmers, farms, National Beef Association