In the past ultrasound article we discussed what ultrasound is used for and how the technology works. Now let’s talk more about the benefits of using ultrasound on a dairy operation.

Benefits of using ultrasound
Ultrasound can provide very valuable breeding management information to the veterinarian and dairyman.

• Ultrasounding can be performed earlier (27-33 days post-breeding) and safer than palpation. The #1 benefit to this is finding open cows (non pregnant cows) sooner! Identifying open cows sooner allows us to return them to the synchronization program sooner and reduce the number of open days.

• Ultrasound is a great tool for diagnosing and identifying reproductive abnormalities such as luteal and follicular cysts.

• Ultrasound helps with the identification of ovarian structures such as follicles, maturing CL and regressing CL.

• Ultrasound can be used to confirm cases of embryonic resorption or abortions when the cows have been identified as showing “signs of heat”.

Who can benefit from using ultrasound?
Large and small dairies can benefit from using ultrasound. Ultrasound can be of great help when making breeding management decisions and can provide more information than palpation alone.

• Finding “open cows” (non pregnant cows) sooner can aid in returning cows back into the breeding program and ultimately lead to getting more cows bred in a timely manner.

• Managing pregnant cows with twins differently
(i.e. nutrition and drying off earlier)

• Managing hard or problem breeders.

Frequently asked questions
Q. How early can you preg check?
A. You can see early amniotic fluid in the uterine horns as soon as 25 days post-breeding. However, it is recommended to perform an early preg check at 28 to 33 days post-breeding.

Q. Should I do a second preg check later in the pregnancy?
A. Most ultrasounders choose to perform a 2nd ultrasound check between days 50 and 70 post-breeding to make sure that the fetus has not been absorbed or aborted.

Q. Why do you use the glasses?
A. Monitor glasses are used to see an image from the ultrasound machine. Flat LCD monitors or screens are very difficult or even impossible to see in direct sunlight. Monitor glasses can be worn so that the image is clear and easy to see even in direct sunlight. Also, the glasses make the system more portable and easy to use during a herd check.

Q. Can you hurt or abort a pregnancy by using ultrasound?
A. There is no evidence to support that the ultrasound causes abortion of a pregnancy. “Rectal palpation requires actively manipulating the reproductive tract either during pregnancy detection or palpating ovaries. Ultrasonography, on the other hand, requires little manipulation of the reproductive tract. In fact, most ultrasound technicians will not touch the reproductive tract at all when utilizing an ultrasound transducer.” G. Cliff Lamb and Dan R. Brown North Central Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota

Q. How much does an ultrasound machine cost?
A. A well-suited bovine ultrasound that is portable and durable will range from $9,000 to $12,000 U.S. dollars.

A study by the University of Wisconsin showed that ultrasound can save 10-15 open, non-productive days per cow per year. When every day has value $$$, it is important that every cow is bred. EL

Noa Roman-Muniz, DVM, MS,
Integrated Livestock Management, Colorado State University
Noa can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it