Pregnancy analytics app adds value to pregnancy diagnosis in beef herds

Abstract

Determining pregnancy status of beef cattle is an important service both as a major source of income for veterinary practices and a valuable information resource for cow-calf producers. However, value of pregnancy status information should be enhanced to give veterinarians a competitive advantage against alternate methods for identifying nonpregnant cows. Obtaining fetal age estimates is vital to create charts to evaluate and display pregnancy percentages by 21 day periods. Evaluating breeding seasons by 21 day periods and by animal age and/or other management groups is useful to practitioners investigating herds with reproduction shortfalls by identifying specific periods within breeding seasons when cows did not becoming pregnant. In addition, easy-to-read charts can enhance communication between veterinarian and beef producer by illustrating results of fetal aging. Once fetal age data are collected and organized for analyses, conclusions or further questions will present themselves. Nutrition, genetics, animal husbandry, male and female reproductive soundness and health all affect distribution of pregnancy within a herd. By combining transrectal uterine examination to determine pregnancy status with chute-side analysis and graphing of information, veterinarians can readily identify strengths and weaknesses within herd management.