Fall is here, and before you start hauling hay and buying supplement for the winter, there’s one question worth answering: which of your cows are actually bred?
In a recent article for American Cattlemen, writer Jaclyn Krymowski makes a strong case that pregnancy checking should be treated as a management tool, not just a yes-or-no confirmation. Drawing on research from Nebraska, North Dakota State, and Illinois Extension, she lays out what preg checking costs, what it saves, and how to put the results to work.
Why it matters in a Wagyu herd
Every open cow you carry through winter eats like a bred one but gives you nothing in the spring. According to Nebraska Extension figures cited in the article, that can cost anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to around $400 per cow.
For Wagyu producers, the stakes run even higher. When you’ve put money into quality genetics, embryo transfer, or AI, you need to know which of those investments took. And late-calving cows matter too. Calves born earlier in the season tend to wean heavier, so a cow that’s bred but always late can quietly pull down your whole calf crop.
Picking a method
The article walks through four main options. Palpation is quick and inexpensive if you or your vet are skilled at it, but it can’t be done until about five weeks after breeding. Ultrasound works earlier and can tell you more, including fetal age and, later on, the calf’s sex. That age estimate can even help sort AI calves from cleanup bull calves, which is handy for Wagyu breeders keeping close track of parentage. Blood tests are accurate and easy but only give you a yes or no. Watching for cows to come back into heat costs nothing, but it takes a lot of time and it’s easy to miss things.
Timing and what comes next
Checking early, about 30 days after the bulls come out or after your AI date, gives you the most room to make decisions. A fall check before winter feeding is the traditional standby for good reason, since it’s your last chance to sort cows before the feed bill gets serious.
Once you know who’s open, you can cull or market those cows before the late-fall price slump. The article points out that cull cow prices have historically been stronger in August than in October or November. For the cows that did settle, knowing their expected calving dates lets you group them, adjust their nutrition, and get ready for calving season ahead of time.
Read the full article
Krymowski’s full piece goes deeper into the economics, timing strategies, and marketing options. You can read it at American Cattlemen.
With a Texas Wagyu Association membership, you receive a complimentary annual subscription to American Cattlemen magazine. Join us today and stay informed on industry best practices.