Cattle Weight Tape Chart
A cattle weight tape chart guide that explains how to use a weight tape to estimate live weight when no scale is handy, with notes on its limits.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
GuideBeef CattleFree PDF
The steps on this page
- Gather a clean weight tape and a halter
- Restrain the animal calmly and safely
- Have the animal stand square on level ground
- Place the tape behind the front legs
- Pull snug without pinching the hide
- Read the tape at the overlap
- Record the estimate and mark it as estimated
- Compare to scale weights when you can
How to use this guide
Walk a new hand through the steps once, then let them use the page on their own. Add your own notes as you learn what works.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with eXtension and USDA.
For more in this area, see the ranch beef reference. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including MooTube: Cattle Start Their Own Video Sharing Platform, and ranching farm stories.