Autumn-calving cows that were bred to AI or a stock bull from October to December should be pregnancy scanned in February.

These cows most likely calved in August and September of last year.

Provided they had no problems at calving time and were offered a winter diet that met their nutritional requirements, these cows should be long settled in-calf by February.

Scanning now means that you can separate out the cows that are empty and mark them for culling. Target higher concentrate levels to the calves sucking an empty dam.

Transition

This will help transition the calf through the weaning period in March or early April and eases the demand on the cow, helping her to maintain body condition.

The empty cow can then be sold live once the calf is weaned or intensively finished after a 30- to 40-day feeding period.

Given the outlook for fertiliser prices, there is little merit in putting an empty cow back to grass this spring.

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