– Dean Kreager, Licking County Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator (originally published in Ohio Farmer on-line)
Only 20% of cow calf producers in the Eastern United States pregnancy check beef cows, according to National Animal Health Monitoring System (NHAMS) Studies. Over the years there have been improvements in pregnancy detection options but the adoption of these has been slow for many beef producers. Maybe this year the question should change from “Is it worth the expense?” to “Can I afford not to pregnancy check?”
The cost of overwintering an open cow this year could be much higher than in recent years. Much of Ohio and some surrounding states have been experiencing drought conditions this summer. The hardest hit areas are also home to a high percent of Ohio’s cow/calf production. The rolling pastures have stopped producing forage and many springs have dried up resulting in cattlemen hauling water and feeding hay much earlier than normal. These conditions have led to Continue reading Can I afford not to pregnancy check?