Scanning and fertility

Most of our dairy clients opt to have routine fertility visits once a fortnight, at a pre-arranged time and day.

This is timed to fit easily around the daily working of the farm, and is usually soon after morning milking. All sites are equipped with multiple portable scanning units, and one vet is often designated as the vet primarily responsible for the farm.

Benefits of regular routine scanning

Reduce calving index.
Identify stale cows (cystic, non-cycling, dirty etc).
Synchronisation.
Identify twins.
Decrease culling rate.

Which animals should be seen by the vet on a routine visit?

Post calving checks (PCC)

Cows two to four weeks calved. Check for uterine infection, as the early detection and treatment gives the best chance of cows becoming pregnant.

Pregnancy diagnosis (PD)

All cows that have been served at least 28 days or 35 days comfortably. Everyone has had a cow dry for several months, which has not been seen bulling for nine months and yet is not in calf. Don’t assume she is in calf, get her checked!

Not seen bulling (NSB)

All cows that have not been seen bulling by the end of your “voluntary waiting period”, about 45 days for most people. It is important to examine these cows (and treat them if necessary) to make sure they come bulling and get in calf.

Routine visits also provide an opportunity to discuss herd health on farm. This enables monitoring of production targets and prevention of potential problems.