Saving time with better results: Mathew Barham’s experience with the Gallagher Auto Weigher

For Hawke’s Bay farmer Mathew Barham, managing up to 2,000 cattle across his 1,020-hectare operation means he welcomes new ideas that can save time, help with accurate weight assessment, and support the health of his herd. Hearing that the Gallagher Auto Weigher could deliver accurate cattle weights without the need to bring animals to the yards, Mathew was keen to put it to the test.

Since using the Auto Weigher, a portable platform which allows cattle to weigh themselves directly in the paddock, Mathew's seen immediate benefits. He moves it easily between mobs, getting quick and accurate weight measurements without unnecessary stress on the animals.

"We've only got one set of yards on a large station," he explains, "so getting mobs there just to weigh them is time-consuming. The Auto Weigher was a practical and cheaper solution compared to building another yard."

Avoiding weight guesswork

One of the most significant advantages Mathew has seen is improved accuracy in weight assessments, crucial information necessary for upcoming sales.

"Previously, my stock agent would ask about weights, and I could only give an estimate unless I’d just taken them to be weighed," Mathew says. "Now, with the Auto Weigher, when he rings and asks ‘how are those bulls going’ I have real data. I can now provide accurate weights rather than just guesstimating.”

Mathew was originally sceptical about how good the measurements would be with the machine taking a partial weight. "The data is all picked up from the animal's EID tag, so you do have to be prepared to trust it."

His confidence in the technology grew after cross-checking Auto Weigher results with his traditional scales. "Apart from one outlier, all animals were within just a few kilos,” he confirms.

“It also gives me the ability to look at those cattle that are getting weighed and then use the results the Auto Weigher is giving to be able to do visual checks more effectively across the paddock, without having to weigh every animal.”

Benefits for animal wellbeing

Another key benefit Mathew highlights is animal welfare. "Not having to move cattle several kilometres to weigh them reduces stress and potential health issues," he says. "It's a big advantage for animal wellbeing."

“It also frees up my team’s day to be doing other things around the farm”, says Mathew, reinforcing the time-savings for his business.

Seeing the benefits he is getting from Gallagher's eShepherd^TM virtual fencing neckbands and the Auto Weigher, Mathew is enthusiastic about the possibility of future integration of these technologies.

Sturdy construction

Mathew's practical experience demonstrates that the Auto Weigher is robust and resilient. Despite being exposed to rough conditions, the unit "still looks brand new," he adds. "It's incredibly robust – the cattle have rubbed and slobbered all over it, and nothing’s broken."

He quickly saw success by strategically placing molasses-based attractants and has had no problems getting the animals to step on to the unit. "It’s about making the technology part of your farm’s routine," he says. "Investing in an attractant is a small cost when I look at how much value I get from having such accurate information and the significant time savings."

Mathew recommends the Gallagher Auto Weigher to any farmer looking to improve efficiency, accuracy, and animal welfare on-farm.