Livestock Weighing Solutions

by Blackthorn Scales

Whether you're upgrading a cattle chute or investing in a permanent scale solution, Blackthorn Scales offers both portable and premium livestock weighing systems for farms, ranches, fairs, and veterinary use. Serving Virginia & North Carolina, we offer fast installation and tailored service for every scale we sell.​

Portable Weigh Beam System

Retrofit Your Cattle Squeeze Chute into a Livestock Scale

Looking to turn your existing cattle squeeze chute into a functioning livestock scale? Our heavy-duty weigh beam system is the perfect retrofit solution.
These compact, rugged bars install quickly, store easily, and deliver accurate, Legal-for-Trade animal weights — even when the animal is moving.

​Key Features:

• 5,000 lb capacity
• Choose 40" or 48" beam sizes
• Indicator with animal hold and backlit display
• Leveling feet, cables, and setup included
• Calibrated and ready to weigh

Discounted Local Install Pricing
​(ONLY IN Hampton Roads / "Seven Cities", Virginia):

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(Video) What to consider when purchasing a Livestock Scale...

Premium Livestock Scale Systems​

For more advanced needs, we offer Rice Lake's trusted livestock scales, used by professionals at fairs, farms, veterinary centers, and universities.

​Single Animal Scales

• Enclosed platforms with solid gates
• Ideal for weighing individual animals
• Legal-for-Trade, safe and secure

​Portable & Mobile Group Scales

• Self-contained systems with brakes, tow kits, and battery power
• Built for remote and multi-site use
• Weigh livestock on uneven terrain (Legal-for-Trade)

Stationary Heavy-Duty Scales

• Structural steel I-beam frame
  
• Non-slip recycled flooring (X-Plank or X-Lug)
  
• Rated for 25,000+ lbs
  

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​What is Livestock Shrink?

Livestock shrink is the weight loss animals experience during handling, transport, and holding, often amounting to 3–6% or more of body weight. By weighing your animals on-site, before shipment, you get a true baseline and avoid underpayment due to shrink at the processor. Investing in an on-farm scale helps protect your bottom line and gives you full control over herd performance tracking.

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All Rice Lake systems are quoted by request.

Call us at 757-204-5754 or click here!

Each additional service we offer is backed by our commitment to excellence and attention to detail.

We understand that accuracy is paramount, regardless of the setting, and our additional precision services exemplify this commitment.

Feel free to reach out to our team to learn more about these specialized services, and how they can benefit your unique requirements.

​At Blackthorn Scales, precision is our passion, and we're here to help you achieve it in every facet of your operations.