DRB
Well-known member
Has anyone tried to use the early pregnancy checks made for women to check a cow for pregnancy? Did it work?
DRB":24niidp1 said:Has anyone tried to use the early pregnancy checks made for women to check a cow for pregnancy? Did it work?
Ann Bledsoe":1ldvmda4 said:Turns out it's not as accurate as I had hoped.
The cow that originally tested positive at 66 days, tested negative at 90 days, she was palpated and is still pregnant.
The cow that was bred Jan 22, still has not had a positive result as of today, although she has been palpated and is pregnant.
I did find a pretty interesting website
http://www.biotracking.com/
These folks do pregnancy tests on a 2cc sample of the cow's blood -- results in 20-something hours. Accurate 30 days after breeding.
Test itself is only $1.70 for each animal, but you would also have the added costs of shipping and collection syringes/vials.
Ann B
Ann Bledsoe":59758mmu said:My cows are bred AI, I know exactly how far along they are/should be.Ann B
txag":3psisllh said:Ann Bledsoe":3psisllh said:My cows are bred AI, I know exactly how far along they are/should be.Ann B
i worked for a vet in high school and college and the majority of cows palpated were not a.i.'d & had year-round breeding seasons. they're commercial cattleman making the decision to keep or sell. i wasn't referring to your operation, just making a general statement about why most folks palpate.
DRB":2m7uihdo said:I don't have a lot of confidence in my vet as far as determining early pregnancies. I would like an up or down test as early as possible, I generally know when one is in heat and has been bred, I'd like to know if she caught...to separate the bull, know how to sell, know more about the bull, know more about your cattle, etc...
I wouldn't mind the blood test method...I' wouldn't be suprised if most any university could do this...I'll check it out..Actually I don't know why this couldn't be an at home project could it be that complicated?
Campground Cattle":3j6b1p6h said:I agree with txag, AI ok if you watch the cows constantly. I just figured that was what the bull was for. You might disagree Ai is to costly for me I can't afford for cow's to miss or be late.
Ann Bledsoe":1asrhb08 said:I'm not trying to change your way of thinking at all -- but I did want to explain something here.
I talked Dad into letting me AI his Red Angus cows last year, he though AI would be too expensive and time consuming too. We AI'd his herd to Monu and Red Spread (Accelerated Genetics). Synchronized with 2 shots of lutalyse, 14 days apart. Out of 29 cows bred, only 4 cycled again (that were seen).
In Dad's case, he was looking at having to buy a new bull -- his bull is 10 years old, and he needed replacement heifers. By using AI, we have alleviated the need for a new bull, the old bull is more than capable of running clean up for another couple of years. And we used bulls that should throw good daughters.
Total cost of AI for Dad's herd was $670.
The calves are starting to hit the ground now -- so far all have been Monu calves, and Dad couldn't be more pleased. Small calves that are extremely lively and alert at birth, on their feet and nursing within minutes -- first time ever that Dad's had a heifer deliver without assistance.
For someone who was so against AI a year ago, his results at this point have completely changed his mind. Now if we get good replacements out of this, he'll be sold on it forever.
Ann B
Campground Cattle":1asrhb08 said:I agree with txag, AI ok if you watch the cows constantly. I just figured that was what the bull was for. You might disagree Ai is to costly for me I can't afford for cow's to miss or be late.