Get your weighing gear ready for spring
Don’t wait until the first weigh-in: Get your weighing gear spring-ready
Tuesday, 25 August, 2026
A little preparation before the season gets underway can save time, frustration and unnecessary delays. Gallagher Territory Manager Darren Smith and Tech Support Representative Elaine Brown recommend taking the time to give your equipment a proper check before your first big weigh-in.
Start with a dry run
Rather than testing your equipment for the first time when you have stock waiting, get everything out a few weeks before you need it and run through a basic check.
1. Charge your equipment
Make sure your scales, EID reader and wand are fully charged and ready to go. It’s also worth checking that chargers and power supplies are working correctly.
2. Check your connections
Connect your load bars and check that all cables, plugs and connections are secure and undamaged. If you use Bluetooth devices, pair them ahead of time and make sure they connect as expected.
3. Clean your equipment
Mud and manure can build up around equipment over time, so give your gear a clean before the season starts. Pay particular attention to load bars and their connections.
However, load bars should never be cleaned with a high-pressure hose. Despite their heavy-duty appearance, they contain electrical components and should be treated accordingly.
4. Test your scales and EID reader
Use a known test weight to make sure your scales are displaying an accurate weight. At the same time, scan an EID tag and check that the information is being read and displayed correctly.
Testing both systems together gives you a chance to identify any issues before you are under pressure in the yards.
5. Check for updates
Make sure your software and Gallagher Animal Performance phone app are running the latest updates. Doing this before the season starts can help avoid unnecessary technical issues when you need the system most.
Look after your load bars
Load bars spend much of their life in tough farm environments but treating them like any other electrical product can help protect them and extend their working life.
Keep mud and muck cleaned off, check that plugs and cables are in good condition, and where possible, keep your scales and EID equipment somewhere dry when they’re not being used.
Darren’s advice is simple: “Treat your load bars like an electrical product. Water and electricity don’t mix.”
Test before you need it
The biggest takeaway is to avoid leaving your equipment check until the day of your first weigh-in.
As Elaine explains, “Do a dry run before animals are in the yard, not when you’re under pressure to start weighing.”
Taking a little time now to charge, connect, clean, test and update your equipment could save a lot more time when spring gets busy.
If you’re unsure whether you’re weighing or EID setup is ready for the season, Gallagher’s Tech Support team can help with a Weighing & EID Health Check.