Benefits of routine farm visits

Vital statistics

Engaging your veterinary surgeon on routine fertility visits hugely increase efficiency and productivity on dairy farms. Studies have shown that herds performing to achieve the following statistics are the most efficient and profitable:

  - Calving index recommended 365 days – each cow should be having a calf every year
  - Pregnancy rate to first service should be 60%
  - Calving to conception should be 80 days on average
This equates to 1.6 serves per cow if served by artificial insemination

We recommend regular routine fertility visits to help your herd achieve these statistics.
  - Herds of over 100 cows should be visited every 2 weeks
  - Herds of under 100 cows should be visited once a month

A routine fertility visit involves the performing Post Natal Checks on freshly calved cows and examining any cows where bulling behaviour has not been observed.

Cows in these categories would undergo a vaginal and a rectal exam to check for and treat conditions that can prevent the cow returning to and observable heat 45 days after calving. Reasons for this can be due to some of the following:

• Uterine infections
• Cysts on the ovaries
• Vaginal or cervical damage
• Urine pooling
• Oestrus cycle not active
• Peritonitis
• Poor nutrition
• Any systemic disease can reduce fertility

The vet will also examine cows that require pregnancy diagnosis. This can be carried out manually or with the ultrasound scanner, depending on the stage of pregnancy.
Cows that are confirmed not pregnant can be investigated and treated or managed accordingly.
 

DID YOU KNOW THAT EVERY COW THAT IS NOT PREGNANT BY 80 DAYS POST CALVING IS COSTING YOU BETWEEN £4.00 AND £4.50 PER DAY??