Veterinary Pregnancy Scanning and Cattle Fertility
- kateleighanderson
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
How Vet Pregnancy Scanning Improves Cattle Fertility in Central West NSW
Why Pregnancy Scanning Matters for Dubbo and Central West Cattle Producers
In the cattle industry, profitability depends on one key factor: fertility. Whether you’re
running a stud or a commercial herd, each empty cow represents lost time, feed costs, and a missed opportunity for calf production.
For producers in Dubbo and the Central West of NSW, ultrasound pregnancy testing
(pregtesting) by a veterinarian is one of the most powerful tools available to maximise herd performance. This service doesn’t just confirm pregnancies — it provides critical information that helps you make smarter management decisions, reduce costs, and improve your herd’s genetic progress.
What is Veterinary Ultrasound Pregnancy Testing?
Veterinary pregnancy scanning uses realtime ultrasound technology to detect pregnancies and accurately determine foetal age. This allows producers to:
Identify pregnant and nonpregnant females
Group cows by stage of gestation
Forecast calving dates
Improve nutritional planning and calf survival
When performed by experienced vets, pregnancy scanning is quick, accurate, and minimally stressful for cattle.
The Benefits of VetLed Pregnancy Scanning
Early Detection of Empty Cows
Knowing which cows are not in calf allows you to cull or rejoin them, rather than carrying the cost of feeding empty breeders through the season.
Accurate Foetal Ageing
Ultrasound enables foetal ageing within a tight window, giving you the ability to group cows for calving management and plan nutrition more effectively.
Improved Herd Fertility
By identifying cows that failed to conceive, veterinarians can help investigate the underlying causes — whether nutritional, disease-related, or bull fertility issues and put strategies in place for improvement.
Better Calving Management
Grouping cows by foetal age makes calving supervision more efficient. You’ll know when to expect calves, reduce mismothering, and respond quickly to calving difficulties.
More Accurate Forecasting for Sales and Cashflow Pregnancy scanning provides data you can rely on when forecasting weaner numbers and planning livestock sales.
Why Veterinary Expertise is Essential
While some producers may consider DIY scanning, the accuracy and additional herd health insights that veterinarians provide cannot be matched.
At Central West Genetics, our Dubbo-based vets deliver:
High-accuracy ultrasound scanning for pregnancy and foetal ageing
Assessment of cow body condition to inform nutritional programs
Reproductive disease checks including pestivirus and vibriosis
Bull fertility consultation where low conception rates are detected
Tailored breeding advice to lift herd reproductive efficiency
This holistic approach means you get more than just pregnancy results — you get a complete fertility management plan.
Case Study: Boosting Conception Rates in a Dubbo Beef Herd
A local Central West producer brought our veterinary team in after noticing disappointing calving percentages. Pregnancy scanning revealed 20% of the herd was empty, with conception failures concentrated in younger heifers. Further testing identified subtle pestivirus circulation.
With veterinary advice a pestivirus vaccination program was implemented and the following joining season delivered a 15% improvement in conception rates, significantly increasing calf numbers and farm profitability.
When Should You Scan Your Cows?
Timing is critical. In Dubbo and the Central West, most pregnancy scanning is performed 6–8 weeks after joining. This provides reliable results while still giving time to make management decisions for empty cows.
Foetal ageing is most accurate between 30–100 days of gestation, allowing you to group cows by calving period.
Common Questions About Cattle Pregnancy Scanning
How accurate is ultrasound scanning?
In the hands of an experienced vet, accuracy is over 95% for both pregnancy detection and foetal ageing.
Does scanning stress the cows?
Minimal handling is required, and with lowstress stockmanship, the procedure is quick and safe.
What herd size makes scanning worthwhile?
Whether you run 50 cows or 500, pregnancy scanning pays for itself by reducing wasted feed costs and improving herd fertility management.
Can scanning detect twins?
Yes — ultrasound can detect multiple pregnancies, allowing you to provide extra nutritional support where needed.
Partnering with Central West Genetics for Better Fertility
For cattle producers across Dubbo and the Central West, pregnancy scanning is no longer optional — it’s a vital management tool. With expert veterinary support, you’ll improve fertility outcomes, reduce costs, and make more informed breeding decisions.
At CWG we deliver accurate, efficient, and stressfree pregnancy scanning to keep your herd on track for a productive season.
Contact our team today to book your herd for pregnancy testing and ensure your next
calving season is a success.
