Container weighing system method and apparatus

A method of preparing a feedstock ration having a plurality of ingredients, the method comprising:

• a) loading a first ingredient of a feedstock ration into a container supported on a mobile frame, wherein a plurality of sensor assemblies are coupled between the frame and the container for measuring a weight of contents of the container by sensing a force exerted by the container towards the frame in a generally vertical sensing direction, each sensor assembly including a load cell having a cell first end, and a connector link having a link first end coupled to the cell first end at a first joint and a link second end pivotally connected to a first one of the frame and the container at a second joint, and wherein a stabilizing assembly separate from the sensor assemblies is coupled between the container and the frame, the stabilizing assembly freely accommodating transfer of the force exerted by the container towards the frame in the sensing direction, and simultaneously inhibiting shifting of the container relative to the frame in one or more shifting directions perpendicular to the sensing direction;
• b) during step (a), monitoring a first weight of the first ingredient in the container as indicated by the sensing assemblies, and comparing the monitored first weight to a target first weight corresponding to an amount of the first ingredient required for the feedstock ration;
• c) when the first weight reaches the target first weight, stopping the loading of the first ingredient into the container;
• and
• d) after step (c), repeating steps (a) (c) for a second ingredient in place of the first ingredient.