2019 marks first year of routine inspection program

This is one of many livestock scales the New Mexico Department of Agriculture inspects each year. The new Routine Livestock Scale Inspection Program begins in 2019. (Photo by Pamela Sanchez, New Mexico Department of Agriculture)(Las Cruces, New Mexico) – If you own a livestock scale in New Mexico, be sure to request an inspection by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture by March 31. If a request is received by March 31, or if you’re part of the Routine Livestock Scale Inspection Program, the initial inspection will be provided at no charge.

To join the Routine Livestock Scale Inspection Program, you must submit a request form by March 31. To request a form, call the NMDA Standards and Consumer Services Division at 575-646-1616 or email livestockscale@nmda.nmsu.edu. The NMDA SCS Division is responsible for enforcing New Mexico’s weights and measures laws and regulations.

Click here to access a form.

If you have already completed and returned the Routine Livestock Scale Inspection Program form and received a confirmation email, no further action is needed.

Benefits of joining the Routine Livestock Scale Inspection Program include being on NMDA’s permanent routine inspection list, not having to call annually to request an inspection and avoiding late fees.

New Mexico Department of Agriculture weights and measures inspectors have the responsibility of routinely testing all livestock scales in the state to ensure their accuracy. The new Routine Livestock Scale Inspection Program begins in 2019. (Photo by Pamela Sanchez, New Mexico Department of Agriculture)If scale owners do not want to participate in the new program, they still have the option to call in and request every year by the March 31 deadline.

All ranches and farms must maintain current contact information with the NMDA Standards and Consumer Services Division, including names, phone numbers, mailing addresses and, most importantly, email addresses. Email will serve as the main point of communication for future updates, new information and inspector correspondence.

A fee will be assessed if the following apply:

• The request is received after March 31
• You need your scale inspected before the routinely scheduled inspection date
• You request an additional inspection in 2019
• You request a re-inspection of a scale that was previously inspected and not in compliance in 2019
• Your scale is not ready for inspection when the inspector is in the area

The fee will be assessed based on the current “fees for weights and measures services” schedule, which may be found here.

For more information visit here.