title: Comparison of visual assessment and heart girth tape measurement for estimating the weight of cattle in clinical practice.
abstract: Estimates of the weights of dairy cattle by veterinary surgeons (n = 53), stock handlers (n = 42) and students (n = 77) were compared with heart girth measurements, which were used as a predictor of bodyweight. Visual live weight estimation was variable in accuracy. Fifty-five per cent of weight estimates were >10% from the reference weight, and the mean absolute percentage difference for all estimates was 15% (standard deviation 15%, interquartile range 5-20%). Underestimation was more frequent at higher weights, and accuracy of estimation was lower as weight increased. Overestimation tended to occur more frequently at weights <150 kg.
authors: School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK. Electronic address: sarah.wood@bristol.ac.uk.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Wood
authors: School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK.
authors: Kristen K
authors: KK
authors: Reyher
authors: School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK.
authors: David C
authors: DC
authors: Barrett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003612:Dairying; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D015588:Observer Variation; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Accuracy; Cattle; Estimation; Live weight