Safe Pregnancy Testing Facilities

Pregnancy testing is an important management tool but if it is performed in substandard facilities the animals and operators can be exposed to the risk of injury and the job will take longer to complete.  In addition, if the operator is constantly concerned for their safety, or is working at bad angles the accuracy of the diagnosis may be compromised.

The features of good pregnancy testing facilities are:

  1. Cows are confined but standing comfortably.  It is desirable that the animals are not able to move from side to side or move too far forward.  It is also preferable that the cows are not too tightly pack as this will increase the possibility that cows will go down
  2. The legs of the cow can not slip backwards.  This is particularly important when pregnancy testing "over the rail" in rotary dairies, herringbones and in AI races.  Cows' slipping backwards and falling is the cause of the majority of injuries to both man and beast.  It is preferable that an edge or toe rail is present to stop the cows' feet from slipping over the edge of the platform.  The examination platform can protrude over the edge of the dairy platform.  The lip should not have a sharp edge that could injure the cow.
  3. The preg tester has a firm footing that is at the same level as the cows' feet or slightly higher.  If the preg testing platform is slightly higher (5 cm) than the cows feet a downward motion is used for the examination which is valuable for the reduction of operator fatigue.
  4. Any platform should be solid enough that it is not pushed away by the weight of a cow.
  5. Adequate room for the operators to move.  This is most important where two people are preg testing, but is also important when preg testing in herringbone sheds. In some situations on rotary dairies the removal of the breach rail makes preg testing easier
  6. If preg testing is being performed on a rotary dairy it is imperative that the platform controls are with in reach so that it can be stopped if required.
  7. Cows move through the facility comfortably and quietly.


Good facilities are quicker and safer to work in.  The job gets done in less time, with less risk and gets done better.



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