When to Scan Your Cattle?

Scan cows 6 weeks after bull removal.

Pregnancy Status

The general “rule of thumb” to identify pregnant and empty cows is to scan 6 weeks after bull removal or Artificial Breeding (AB).

Pregnancy Confirmation

From 6 weeks onwards.

Portable ultrasound equipment with its own power source and viewing goggles means that pregnancy scanning can be done almost anywhere.

Accuracy of Ultrasound Pregnancy Scanning

Ultrasound pregnancy scanning can accurately detect embryos as early as 28 days in a field situation. For practical purposes speed and accuracy diagnosis is best performed from 42 days, or 6 weeks, onwards.

The most accurate period for foetal ageing, by measuring foetal body parts, is between 6 and 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Scanning access is close

Whole foetal images can be viewed

No manual handling of reproductive tract

Less stress on heifers and cows

Less invasive process

After 16 weeks, pregnancy can still be confirmed however the accuracy of foetal ageing is reduced as the foetus descends over the pelvic brim down into the abdominal cavity. The size and position of the foetus can vary greatly between individual females after this stage.

It is generally accepted that the accuracy of foetal ageing is reduced as pregnancy progresses, however pregnancy status can still be confirmed up to full term.

6 weeks CRL 25mm — *Ultrasound image of a foetus at 42 days after conception.*

9 weeks CRL 85mm — *Ultrasound image of a foetus at 63 days after conception.*

Contact MJA Cattle Scan

If you would like more information on any aspect of cattle ultrasound pregnancy scanning, or to make a booking, please contact us.