Don’t Get Spooked by Phantom Pregnancies!!!

Are your non-return rates too good to be true? You could have phantom cows- cows that look like they’ve held but never actually got in-calf. Each one could cost you up to $1500.

The good news? There’s still time to act.

Read our short article on phantom scanning and how prompt action can protect your herd and your bottom line this season.

The difference in value between an in-calf cow ($3000) and an empty cow ($1500) can seriously affect your bottom line. Every cow we successfully get in-calf represents $1500 in retained value, so it is critical to identify issues early.

If your non return rates seem too good to be true, it may be worth considering a phantom scan. Phantom cows are those which cycle and are mated, but then ‘go silent’. They show no further oestrus activity, but they aren’t pregnant; they have simply stopped cycling.

Phantom scanning is the solution to this. We scan your cows early (as small as 35 days) to identify which cows are genuinely pregnant and which ones are phantoms. There are multiple benefits to this approach:

1.     Because scanning happens during the mating period, there is still a window to intervene. Phantom cows can be treated and given a second chance to conceive, rather than waiting until end-of-mating scanning when it's too late.

2.      From your pregnant cows, you get early, aged data. Once cows are identified as being pregnant, you don’t need to scan them again.  

If you think a phantom scan is right for your farm, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at the clinic to discuss.