Pregnancy diagnosis in heifers and cows provides management options

Pregnancy detection in replacement heifers or cows is a tool producers can use to increase profit. Traditionally, cows and replacement heifers are pregnancy tested in the fall of the year, and then non-pregnant and cull cows are marketed. This is also when cull cow prices are typically at their lowest.

Timing of Pregnancy Test

Ultrasound and blood tests can detect pregnancy in cows as early as 25-30 days. For cows to be identified as pregnant utilizing the palpation method, cows need to be at least 35-50 days pregnant.

Producers should realize that stress to heifers and cows early in pregnancy...