Cattle Reproductive Services

Supporting every stage of the breeding cycle – from fertility through to calving

At Mt Barker Veterinary Hospital, we offer a complete range of reproductive services for beef and dairy herds, designed to optimise conception rates, support calving success, and improve overall herd productivity.

 

Pregnancy Testing Cattle

Our veterinarians are highly experienced in both manual palpation and rectal ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis. Using a rectal ultrasound probe is quick, efficient, and minimises stress on cattle. If a cow appears non-pregnant on ultrasound, a manual palpation is performed to rule out reproductive abnormalities.

We recommend pregnancy testing from 6–8 weeks after the bulls have been removed, with earlier testing offering better outcomes if reproductive issues are detected.

Benefits of pregnancy testing:

  • Identify non-pregnant cows early for rebreeding or culling
  • Detect reproductive issues
  • Pick up bull breakdowns and poor performance
  • Reduce unnecessary feeding costs for empty cows
  • Plan and manage your calving season more effectively

 

Infertility Investigations

Low conception rates? Irregular returns? We're equipped to investigate infertility in both cows and bulls. Our vets can assess:

  • Nutritional status and trace element levels
  • Reproductive tract health
  • History of breeding practices and cycle timing
  • Infectious disease risks
  • Semen quality and bull libido

We’ll provide clear, practical advice to get your herd back on track for optimal fertility performance.

 

Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation

Our team is highly experienced in bull fertility testing. We recommend assessments annually prior to joining or before bull sales.

Our comprehensive bull evaluations include:

  • Assessment of body condition, gait, conformation and feet
  • Testicle palpation and measurement
  • Rectal examination of accessory sex glands
  • Examination of the penis and prepuce
  • Semen collection and crush-side motility assessment

All semen samples are sent to a qualified morphologist for microscopic evaluation of sperm structure, ensuring an accurate diagnosis of subtle infertility issues.

We provide detailed reports and feedback, including:

  • Fertility grading (pass/fail/treatment required)
  • Breeding recommendations
  • Any follow-up testing needed

We also offer semen testing for rams, bucks, and stallions on request.

 

AI Program Support & Medication Supply

Planning to run a synchronised AI program? We provide full veterinary support and supply of medications, including:

  • Prostaglandins, CIDRs, and GnRH
  • Protocol planning and scheduling
  • Assistance with fixed-time AI programs
  • Coordination with AI technicians
  • Ongoing fertility monitoring and follow-up

Whether you're using natural joining or fixed-time AI, we can help maximise conception outcomes and streamline your breeding program.

 

Calving Assistance & Emergencies

When calving time arrives, our vets are ready to help with:

  • Difficult or assisted calvings (malpresentations, oversized calves)
  • Retained placenta management
  • Uterine prolapses
  • Calf care
  • Post-calving checks for both cow and calf

We provide 24/7 emergency support during calving season to reduce calf losses and protect cow health.

 
]