Every rancher knows how fast hay can disappear once cold fronts start rolling through.When you add in supplement, mineral, fuel, equipment, and labor, the winter feed bill can add up fast. The worst part is realizing later that some cows you fed all winter were open the whole time.
That is where September pregnancy checks earn their keep.
Preg-checking is not just about knowing which cows are bred. It helps you decide which cows are worth keeping through winter and which ones are just eating hay without giving you a calf next spring.
For many spring-calving herds, September works well. Breeding season is far enough behind for accurate results, but winter feeding has not started in full yet. This gives you time to make decisions while you still have options.
Open cows can be marketed before they eat through your hay pile. Late-bred cows can be sorted and managed differently. Bred cows can be grouped better for nutrition and calving.
A September preg-check is not complicated management. It is practical. It helps you stop guessing and put feed toward cows that are actually doing their job.
