I have a lot more respect...

[milkmaid]

for those who can preg check accurately after traveling with my vet on Monday. :lol: Our first stop was a 1200 cow dairy, and where the cows were in headlocks, Doc told me I could follow along behind him and try palpating the cows after he finished. I've had a few lessons so I know where everything's supposed to be... but finding it is a whole 'nuther matter. Even when Doc's just told me not only what the cow is (open or bred), but where the calf is (right or left side) and the size of it.

My vet said he trains his help to find two out of three signs of pregnancy - blood supply to the calf, placetones (sp), and the calf itself. Well, I can find the cervix (first step to orient myself), but after I go over the pelvis I tend to get lost. Most of the time on an open cow I can locate at least one of the uterine horns, bred cows over 60 days I could find one sign of pregnancy 50-60% of the time, dry cows (7 mon+) my ability to find the calf was a little better. You'd think finding a calf that size wouldn't be so hard!

I know one thing -- I am not ready to preg check my own herd. :lol:

 

[jt]

milkmaid.. keep on practicing and you will be amazed at how fast you can get decently adequate at. it will get easier with practice.

i fully understand your feelings right now, but one day you will realize you know pretty much what is going on (at least enough to satify yourself as to whether a cow is bred or open). the how much bred part will hone itself to more accuracy as you palpate more cows.

if your vet will allow it, continue to check behind him and it will greatly shorten your learning curve.

good luck

jt

 

[Bobg]

There's a retired Univeristy of Idaho beef scienctist that has perfected a blood test for bred cows, it's accurate at 25 to 30 days. Cost is $2.50/test, you still have to run the cow through a chute to draw blood, but a lot more accurate.

Bobg

 

[mitchwi]

There's a retired Univeristy of Idaho beef scienctist that has perfected a blood test for bred cows, it's accurate at 25 to 30 days. Cost is $2.50/test, you still have to run the cow through a chute to draw blood, but a lot more accurate.

Bobg

Could you post more info on this please?

 

[Farmgirl]

Could you post more info on this please?

Sorry to jump ahead Bobg. We have used this product. It is great! Inexpensive, easy to draw blood. Will use again soon!

http://www.biotracking.com


Farmgirl

 

[randiliana]

My vet said he trains his help to find two out of three signs of pregnancy - blood supply to the calf, placetones (sp), and the calf itself. Well, I can find the cervix (first step to orient myself), but after I go over the pelvis I tend to get lost. Most of the time on an open cow I can locate at least one of the uterine horns, bred cows over 60 days I could find one sign of pregnancy 50-60% of the time, dry cows (7 mon+) my ability to find the calf was a little better. You'd think finding a calf that size wouldn't be so hard!

I know one thing -- I am not ready to preg check my own herd. :lol:

Keep at it Milkmaid. I learned 2 years ago, and still have trouble on some of them. One thing to keep in mind is that on those BIG cows (such as holsteins) is that there is a lot of cow to search for a calf. If you can find the cervix, try to pull it back towards you, if it feels like a lot of weight there, then there is probably a calf there, although some older cows can have a HUGE uterus!! What I usually feel for (90+ days), is something that feels like a water balloon with marbles in it. Once the calf gets larger, it can be easier or harder, I think some of them store the calf up by their nose ;-) . I know that I am 5'11" and have a hard time in the bigger cows.... As for preg checking my own cows, if I am not sure about an animal, I just separate her from the main herd (I usually have a few of these) and preg check her again at least a week later. Another way to make it easier on yourself is to hold the cattle off feed for 12+ hours. Of course, that would likely only happen with your own cows :D

 

[rkm]

I,m not sure I would want someone practicing on my herd. Even a well trained vet will cause a cow to slip a calf while checking for pregnacy.

 

[milkmaid]

I'd contemplated that rkm - however my vet said the cows would be fine. And I'm gentle, maybe too much; Doc's told me I can "dig" a little more for that calf. LOL. He did have me skip some of the short-breds as those calves are pretty fragile. Apparently Doc had his assistant learn on this same herd - his assistant does most of the repro work at the clinic nowdays, and he's been out to my place for preg checks and AI several times. It's basics for him now. He says after you've palpated cows in the thousands you get really good. LOL.

I need to see what my schedule holds but I'd love to ride with Doc again soon; he doesn't seem to mind at all -- and I really, really want to learn this.

 

[rkm]

Good luck MM, Who knows where it will lead you.

 

[jt]

-- and I really, really want to learn this.

that is one of the main ingredients needed.. hang in there, you will get it with time.

good luck

jt

 

[Central Fl Cracker]

I am surprised there is not a cheap blood or urine test to check if a cow is pregnant? I know when my wife ( Iron Pants )got a blood test that it even showed she was having twins which she did 14 years ago. :lol:

 

[C HOLLAND]

Could you post more info on this please?

Sorry to jump ahead Bobg. We have used this product. It is great! Inexpensive, easy to draw blood. Will use again soon!

http://www.biotracking.com


Farmgirl

Thanks farmgirl, I am going to try this now, I will be doing my annual vacs on all mine either this weekend or next.

I had heard about this before, but I never did see a link posted.

thanks again

 

[Farmgirl]

Thanks farmgirl, I am going to try this now, I will be doing my annual vacs on all mine either this weekend or next.

Trick is getting the vaccutainer tubes and needles needed. Bio Tracking can give you the contact for that. PM me if you need any help. I still have the info where we ordered ours. Also, endebt has used this also. He was helpful to us.

Farmgirl