Early pregnancy detection with your herd is a tool that producers can use to increase profits. It is essential for a producer to know early if their replacement heifers or even cows are bred. Knowing this bit of information can save you a lot of money from wasting supplements for cows that are not producing.
While it may not seem like it, the cold nights of calving season will be here before you know it. Now is the time to start preparing for the arrival of the 2023 calf crop. September is a good month for pregnancy testing your cow herd. Finding out which cows are pregnant and which are not will keep you from feeding a cow all winter, only to find out she will not provide a calf.
When it comes to pregnancy detection tests, there are two categories: Direct and Indirect. Feeling or even seeing the pregnancy are considered direct methods. Using chemical markers such as blood tests fits the indirect category. As with anything, you should look at all the options and choose the one that best fits your needs.
Drought is one of those things that every cattle producer will have to deal with at some point. It ranks right up there with Death and Taxes. Like those two, though it is unavoidable, it is also something that most producers need to prepare for.
Having calves weaned early is often something that occurs during periods of low forage quality. This typically happens during extremely dry periods, such as what is currently happening in many western states. But what exactly does it mean to wean early?
