The most important controllable component of any breeding program is to identify your open cows, says Donna Amaral-Phillips, PhD. The faster open cows are identified, the sooner they can be rebred. Lost pregnancies are not just frustrating. They often cause long-term financial impacts.
The more cows with extended days open, the greater the total cost.” – Donna Amaral-Phillips, PhD
Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 11, 2019. Link. Conducting routine pregnancy testing is recommended for herds every two to six weeks to help determine if previously pregnant animals have come in as open. Work with the herds’ veterinarian to select the best frequency at which animals should be tested.
INSIGHTS: Two simple ways to better monitor the number of open cows is to establish routine heat detections and pregnancy checks. These are excellent opportunities for veterinary teams to support profitable action steps, as well as monitor farms on site visits for other stewardship needs.