Tararua Vets offers a wide range of reproductive services for both stud and commercial beef farmers.
Pregnancy Testing
Our pregnancy testing service is carried out using ultrasound scanners, backed up by manual palpation to confirm empty cows and check for any individual cow problems that may be preventing animals from getting in calf. We can tailor our services to your needs, be it just identifying the dry cows or accurately ageing in calf cows from 6 weeks – 12 weeks. The optimal time for pregnancy testing depends on your needs however 6 -8 weeks after bull removal is ideal. We are happy to work in with other animal health jobs such as TB testing ( as arranged with Assure NZ).
Artificial Insemination (AI)
AI is widely used in the dairy system for rapid genetic gain but less so in the beef system. We run synchrony programmes for both stud and commercial farmers, allowing for AI to be used to maximize genetic gain or to try a new sire as opposed to buying an expensive bull. In calf rates vary between farms and bulls, the average is 55%, however, we have had results as high as 70%.
Our clients use AI programmes for:
The basic programme involves 3 yardings over 9 days.
Day 0: Insert CIDR and inject with GnRH
Day 7: Remove CIDR and inject with PG and PMSG (optional)
Day 9: Mate all cows and inject with GnRH at mating.
We recommend that the bull is introduced 10 days later. As this is a synchrony programme the cows that do not get in calf will all cycle in the same few days, therefore, we recommend having more bulls than you would normally have with a traditional system. The best way to identify animals in calf to AI is to preg test 6 weeks after the AI mating.
Tararua Vets offers a comprehensive on-farm and in-clinic veterinary service. Our branches in Pahiatua and Dannevirke complement this service with carefully chosen animal health products and merchandise with up-to-date advice on their use.
© Tararua Veterinary Services, 2021