In Calf Advice

Pregnancy testing in beef herds has begun this season for Warwick and Allora district cattle producers. Mobs are being tested to find the future calving percentages now so that proper management decision can be made ahead of the winter, Chris Reardon said.

‘It probably is the most efficient and cost effective way of helping farmers work out next years farm budgets’, said Dr Reardon. ‘By estimating the number of replacers that growers will have next year, farmers can take some of the risk out of farm future returns’, he added.

“Empty cows can be culled and sold, while fodder can be conserved for the pregnant breeders. This is a way to ensure that your herd is in it’s best shape after the winter”, Dr Reardon said. In addition to this, reproductive diseases such as Vibrioses and Trichomoniasis and abortion causing diseases such as Leptospirosis and Neospora, can be detected quickly so that appropriate therapy can be introduced before large numbers are lost.

Dr Reardon said that pregnancy testing by can be a way to accurately determine the age of each calf before birth, giving the farmer a very sensitive picture of the age variation of next season’s calf crop. In addition, cattle tail tags can be used to identify pregnancy status of cows going to sale. Vendors can expect a premium price for cattle which have been tested and tagged in calf by a certified veterinarian.

Treatment Options for Heifers and Cows

A. Cows which fail to show oestrus

Uterus	Ovary	Treatment	Follow Up
Normal	CL present	2mL Juramate	2ml Juramate in 14 days
Normal	No Cl	CIDR*	2ml Juramate in 14 days for cows which don’t respond
Normal	Follicle > 10 mm	GnRH 2.5 mL	2ml Juramate in 14 days

  CIDR Regimen

• Insert CIDR day 0 with oestrodiol benzoate injection IM (1mg)
• PGF (Jurmate 2mL) day 6
• Withdraw CIDR day 7, apply heat detection aid
• Inseminate 12 hours after heat detection
• Inject 1mg (2mL) Oestradiol benzoate (Ciderol) at 48 hours post withdrawal if no heat detected

B. Cows which are Repeat Breeders (i.e. 3 service unsuccessful)

Uterus	Ovary	Treatment	Follow Up
Pregnant	CL	Nil	Monitor
Possible Pregnant < 42 d	CL	Nil, Heat detection aid	2.5 ml GnRH next AI
Normal	CL	CIDR/PMSG*	Reassess

CIDR/PMSG Regimen

• Insert CIDR day 0 with oestrodiol benzoate injection IM (2mg)
• PGF (Jurmate 2mL) day 6
• Withdraw CIDR day 7, apply heat detection aid, inject 400 i.u. PMSG
• Inseminate 48 and 72  hours after heat detection