Load cells, pigs and muck
We love discovering how load cells are used to make agricultural processes more efficient and effective. Usually we’re writing about weighing silos of grain, or transporting animals, but this month’s star story is all about making the most of your muck-spreading.
Mucky for some
Students at East Durham College farm have been using load cells to accurately distribute home-produced manure, and reduce the farm’s usage of bought-in fertilisers. The college already grows its own feed for cattle, sheep and pigs, and the manure project was to move towards a grassland system based on clover.
As College director Paul Flynn explained: (1)
“The only way to do this is by accurately applying the tested manure to areas of the farm that need it, which means using spreaders with load cells. … Once set up, the spreader can work very quickly, adjusting the floor speed to control the application rate and follows the field map within 20mm.”
The college invested in two new spreaders which incorporate load cells (weight cells), supported by manufacturers Bunning:
“Weigh cell technology has benefits regardless of the size of machine. From recording applications on a field-by-field basis to spreading product using soil mapping data, the technology helps every spreader apply manures with greater efficiency.” (1)
The load cells feed back data to a IsoBus screen system in the tractor cab (the spreaders are towed). This provides the driver with real-time feedback on manure quantities used and tying in with the tractor GPS system for efficiency and accuracy. Since the manure is home-produced, the college knows what is in it and where it has been used, allowing them to better calculate the amounts of bagged fertiliser they may require in the spring.
Talking of pigs…
Now this one really took us by surprise! Back in 2022, a group of Japanese researchers published a paper on “Pig weight prediction system using RGB-D sensor and AR glasses: analysis method with free camera capture direction” Yes, really.
As the paper’s abstract explains:
“Pig weights are important indicator for the healthcare and the economic operation of pig farms … Although load cells are usually used for actual measurement in pig farms, it is not easy to guide pigs weighing more than 100 kg to the scales because many pigs do not like to get on the scales. Therefore, a convenient pig weight estimation system using RGB-D sensors has been developed.” (2)
So, could AR glasses replace load cells for other weighing applications? Watch this space (or perhaps watch this pig…)
More examples of load cells in agriculture
For more uses of load cells to provide vital data on agricultural activity, see our previous articles:
Down on the farm; load cells in agriculture
As the last of the straw bales disappear from the fields and the grain harvest is in, load cells continue to play vital roles both in traditional and automated farm setups.
Bringing in the harvest: load cells on the farm
We look at the role of the humble load cells used in a wide variety of machinery in farming, helping our British farmers make the most of their time and resources.
Weighing up the options; load cells and livestock
Using load cells in a laboratory or workshop environment is usually quite straightforward. Using them out in the field – literally – can be quite a different proposition.
Need load cells for your agricultural business or university research?
Call us. We can design, manufacture and speedily deliver load cells built here in the UK to your specific requirements.
About the author
Chris Beasley is Director of Richmond Industries Ltd, designers and manufacturers of advanced load cells and force transducers for industry, governments and universities all over the world.
—//—
SOURCES:
(1) Farmers Guardian. (2025, September 12). College improves manure use with weigh cell technology. Farmers Guardian. https://www.farmersguardian.com/feature/4410517/college-improves-manure-weigh-cell-technology
(2) Kawasue, K., Wai, P.P., Win, K.D. et al. Pig weight prediction system using RGB-D sensor and AR glasses: analysis method with free camera capture direction. Artif Life Robotics 28, 89–95 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10015-022-00827-x
