Many spring calving herds are joining their cows and in some cases these cows are in poorer condition than normal.
Agriculture Victoria livestock industry development officer Hannah Manning says limited feed availability can make getting back in calf a big ask for the cows.
“Due to the season, there is a risk of reduced conception rates for many farms,” she said.
“We can’t change what has already happened, but if farmers pregnancy test early they can make informed decisions about empty cows.”
Cows can be pregnancy tested from six weeks, meaning farmers can sell empty cows earlier to prevent feeding unproductive stock.
In a lean year, pregnancy testing also gives farmers a chance to examine their stock and keep and feed only their most valuable stock.
“The cost of owning and maintaining a beef cow for a year is high, so every cow on the property must be fully productive,” Dr Manning said.
“Even if they have calves at foot, non-pregnant cows are only partially productive. Given the year, early weaning is also worth considering.”
For more information about managing cattle in dry seasonal conditions, visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons
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