An apparatus and method for automatically weighing portions of semi-solid matter using a weigh station having a rotating receptacle which receives the portion so that an accurate weight indication of the portion can be taken, and propels the portion from the weigh station to a further conveyor or processing system, a drive motor which powers the weigh station through a disengageable motor drive connection, and a weight signal processor which converts and stores the weight indications as weight data and transmits appropriate control signals to the drive motor, whereby variations in the weight of each portion are measured and evaluated to control the further processing of each portion, according to whether the portion weight is within predetermined parameters.