Do you know how to tell if a cow or heifer is pregnant? In fact, determining pregnancy in cattle is very important and has many advantages.
And the determination of pregnancy in cattle is highly recommended to farmers to maximize the efficiency of cattle breeding.
Diagnosis of pregnancy by rectal palpation in cattle has been practiced for decades.
But this system involves an experienced person inserting a hand and hand into the rectum of a heifer or cow and physically feeling the fetus.
A skilled feeler can diagnose pregnancy around day 40 and beyond.
Due to the differences in the size of individual fetuses, this can be quite difficult to do as the fetus grows (but it is usually possible to determine the duration of the pregnancy).
Definition of pregnancy in cattle
Generally, a cow or heifer is considered pregnant if signs of estrus are not observed approximately 3 weeks after artificial insemination or breeding by a bull.
Although not all cows or heifers are pregnant, even if heat detection is good.
On the other hand, some pregnant cows or heifers (about 7%) may show signs of estrus during gestation.
Artificial insemination of these animals can lead to the death of the embryo or fetus. However, currently the most reliable methods for determining pregnancy in cattle are: hormonal measurement, rectal palpation, early pregnancy-associated protein testing, and ultrasound.
Here we will talk in more detail about the easiest ways to determine pregnancy in cattle.
Rectal palpation
Rectal palpation is the simplest and oldest method of determining pregnancy in cattle.
The main advantage of this method is the immediate result which allows early treatment of non-pregnant cows or heifers.
Although the accuracy of this method depends on the experience of the practitioner, the accuracy can reach 95%.
The rectal palpation method is usually performed between 35 and 65 days after artificial insemination.
You can call a specialist in your area to determine cattle pregnancy using this method.
Protein associated with early pregnancy
The newest test available to determine pregnancy in cattle is called ECF (early conception factor) or pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in blood samples.
It is also an easy method, and this method can detect pregnancy-associated glycoprotein within 2 days (or 48 hours) after conception.
By the way, this test should be considered only as an indicator of conception due to the high level of embryonic mortality.
And the pregnancy can be confirmed later by rectal examination or ultrasound.
Ultrasound procedure
It is also a very effective means of detecting pregnancy in cattle.
Real-time ultrasound is a relatively simple and reliable system for determining pregnancy in cattle as early as day 26.
And in general, the accuracy of this method is very high (sometimes more than 99%).
Behavioral and physical changes
You can also determine the gestation of your cows or heifers yourself. You can observe the behavior of your cows and heifers and it is one of the best non-invasive methods to determine pregnancy in cattle.
On average, the sexual cycle in cattle occurs every 21 days. If a heifer or cow has ingested or aborted a fetus, she will soon enter estrus and continue regular cycles until conception.
Bulls generally show no interest in supporting cows. They usually show interest if a cow or heifer is in heat.
As such, observing the behavior of your bulls (if applicable) is also a great way to determine if a cattle is pregnant.
Paying attention to physical changes in your heifers and cows is also a way to determine pregnancy in cattle.
Common physical changes in a pregnant cow or heifer include size changes, body shape changes, and belly and udder changes.
The udder begins to swell and mature in heifers (virgin heifers that are not yet conceived will have an underdeveloped udder, as evidenced only by the presence of four small teats tucked under the belly between the hind legs).
These are common ways to determine pregnancy in cattle. If you are a beginner, ask someone with experience to learn more. Good luck!
video
