During a challenging season, some cows may struggle to conceive again.
Many spring-calving herds are currently joining their cows, and some of these cows are in poorer condition than usual due to limited feed availability.
Given the challenging season, there is a risk of reduced conception rates for many farms.
While we can’t change the past, early pregnancy testing can help farmers make informed decisions about empty cows.
Cows can be pregnancy tested from 6 weeks onwards, allowing farmers to identify and sell empty cows early to avoid feeding unproductive stock.
During a lean year, pregnancy testing also enables farmers to assess their stock and retain only the most valuable animals.
Considering the high cost of maintaining a beef cow for a year, every cow on the property must be fully productive.
Non-pregnant cows, even with calves at foot, are only partially productive, emphasizing the importance of early identification.
Given the circumstances, early weaning is also a strategy worth considering to manage resources effectively.
If you need assistance in developing a plan for your cows, Expressions of Interest are now open for farmers in drought-affected areas of south-west Victoria to register for a free one-on-one consultation with a farm advisor.
The program offers eligible farmers the opportunity to discuss the best way forward for their business in the current season with a consultant.
The one-on-one session includes a drought management planning session of up to 3 hours and a follow-up call to develop a Drought Management Action Plan.
