Bovine Pregnancy: Early Pregnancy Detection
Early pregnancy detection in replacement heifers or cows is a tool producers can use to increase profit. Traditionally, cows and replacement heifers are pregnancy tested in the fall of the year and then non-pregnant cows and cull cows are marketed at that time. This is also when cull cow prices are seasonally at their lowest.
Timing of Pregnancy Test
Pregnancy can be detected in cows as early as 30 days using ultrasound and blood tests.
For cows to be identified as pregnant utilizing the palpation method, cows often need to be at least 35-50 days pregnant. Experience of the person palpating can make a significant difference on how early in this range that pregnancy can be detected.
Producers should realize that stress to heifers and cows early in pregnancy can result in loss. Research has shown a pregnancy loss of 1-3.5% when palpation or ultrasound are used for pregnancy diagnosis at 40 – 75 days of gestation.
How to Interpret Your Bovine Pregnancy Test Results | Bovine Testing Instructions
