Preg checks can save producers money

Preg Checks and Profits By Julie Turner-Crawford $9,100 $9,900 Producers should make preg checks part of their management plan Open females are not profitable animals, so adding pregnancy checks Testing at this time would ensure only cows that are carrying a calf would be fed calf with a high degree of certainty. Experts also encourage producers to have an $12,300 $15,000 is a simple and inexpensive way to until calving, allowing the producer to deidea of an exposure or bred date in order when keep the bottom line in check. termine if the female should be culled. determining when to preg check females. $7,600

However, only 20 percent of U.S. beef opIf pregnancy rates are low, preg checkerations use any form of pregnancy detecing allows the producer to examine what Is it worth the cost?: Information. The use of pregnancy diagnosis ranges changes might need to be made in the tion from the University of Missouri Exfrom 11 percent for small operations (1-49 breeding program. tension states that for smaller producers, head) to 72 percent for operations with 200 the cost of preg checks are perhaps more or more cows, according to the USDA-NaTechniques: There are different important than for larger operations. tional Animal Health Monitoring System. techniques for preg checking cows, includEstimates put the feeding costs of carryOpting to keep non-productive cows or ing the commonlay utalized rectal palpitaing a beef cow at more than $300 per year cows that fail to produce a calf, decreases tion, ultrasound and blood tests. – whether she raises a calf or not – so spendoperation profitability due to the high costs Blood tests can determine pregnancy, ing a few dollars to have them preg checks of maintaining a non-productive cow. but Dr. Heidi Ward, assistant professor is a minimal expense that can save money.

To ensure producers are keeping only proand Veterinarian with the University of Producers should consult their veteriductive cows, they should make pregnancy Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, narian to schedule their herd’s preg check checks part of their management plan. cautioned that a blood test can not deterappointment, and to make sure their herd

Pregnancy checking is also a tool that can mine how far along the animal is. is up to date on vaccinations to prevent be used to optimize heifer management, She said a blood test can confirm concepdisease related abortion risks. such as determining the success of a breedtion, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the aniing program. Heifers can then be kept or mal is pregnant, especially for first-calf heifers culled, depending upon pregnancy status. Preg checking can also allow producers that are at a higher risk of early pregnancy loss. During the palpation process, pregnancy Quality Feeds and Suplements to group animals by pregnancy stage for is routinely detected in cows by inserting calving management. the hand into the rectum and palpating Farmers Coop can help you maintain weight gains made When to check: Pregnancy testthrough the rectal and uterine walls for a fetus, which can be detected during the latter this summer. Ask one of our Farmers Coop professionals to help you with your livestock feeding program. ing can be most profitable when used at first and second trimester of gestation. two different times during the year, accordUltrasound is more accurate and can ing to a study by the University of Idaho. The first would be at a minimum of 30 days (dependent upon method used) after the breeding season ends. The second detect pregnancy as early as 13 days after breeding. Rectal palpation by a skilled veterinarian can detect pregnancy 35 to 45 days after breeding. Using ultrasound in Maintain Your Summer Weight Gains would be when calves are weaned and bethe appropriate window early in the pregfore gestational feeding programs begin. nancy also provided the ability to sex the

GIBSON MINERAL FEEDERS

• All made from Missouri oak DELIVERY AVAILABLE • BULL-PROOF

• 6’ model holds 650 pounds of mineral • 4’ model holds

350 pounds of mineral Come See Us at Farmfest 417-876-7717 El Dorado Springs, MO Oct. 2-4 • Booth 25A