1. Poster at the auction market explains the tagging system:
    1. red tag: pregnant 40 days to 90 days (3 months)
    2. yellow tag: pregnant 90 days (3 months) to 180 days (6 months)
    3. green tag at hips: pregnant 180 days (6 months) to 240 days (8 months)
    4. green tag near tail head: 240 days (8 months) to term.
  2. In order for a cow or heifer to be determined pregnant there must be at least two confirming signs of pregnancy on rectal palpation. Length of pregnancy (gestation length) is primarily estimated by uterine size, cotyledon size and fetal size. These indicators vary with age and breed of dam, gestation length and interpretation variation by the veterinarian. As a result, the chance of misjudging fetal size is common.
  3. Abortions can be very easily missed. For example, a 4 months fetus is about the size of a gopher and can easily be lost in bedding, snow or the insides of a raven or coyote. A producer would have to be a keen observer to notice an aborted cow. Nature will claim its percentage of losses and it is not expected by anyone that all abortions will be detected. Pregnancy testing does not cause abortion.
  4. It is acknowledged that errors can be made when pregnancy testing cows. Accuracy to the best of the practitioners’ ability is practiced at all times. It is assumed that the buyer is aware of what they are buying and how the cows will fit into their calving program. The identification of an open cow within 30 days of purchase should be discussed with the veterinarians. Disappointments in calving dates will not be tempered by remuneration by Westlock Veterinary Center.

 

WESTLOCK VETERINARY CENTER

10819 104 Ave Westlock, AB T7P 1B3 (780) 349-3663 fax (780) 349-4323
Dr. Dennis Bichel - Dr. James Lawrence - Dr. Roy Lewis - Dr. Trevor Jackson
Dr. Tannis Jackson - Dr. Collin Lawrence