Cow Breeding Season is Here
It is breeding season in Northeast Colorado and preg checking appointments are being lined up for veterinarian's like Dr. Paul Chard of Brush, Colorado. Preg checking helps detect issues in the herd such as herd disease and/or toxins. During the preg check, body condition scores are given on a scale of 1-9, to monitor cow conditions and adjust feed if needed. Preg checks also allows for re-breeding if the cow is still open. It also makes it easier to remove open cows from the herd, which saves feed costs for the producers. Dr. Chard says that preg checks can increase herd efficiency, which includes cull cows that won't calve within a 60-day window. This helps with get more uniform at weaning time, less calves to sort when going to sale,helps with vaccination timing and less variation in feeding requirements for the herd. Additionally, it is a management tool that helps break and control the cycle of trichnomiases. For replacement heifers, he says that it is best to ...