Early pregnancy diagnosis in cattle is better for environment

Another advantage of PDing cows is detecting twins early, which can be harder to identify later in the year. Picture: SAC Consulting

Early pregnancy diagnosis (PD) in cattle has huge potential to improve business efficiency, reduce emissions and maximise profitability, farmers in Scotland have been told.

Data from SAC Consulting, part of Scotland's Rural College, shows that achieving 5% greater calf numbers, by reducing barren cows and calf mortality, could improve finisher cattle sales by more than three tonnes of liveweight per 100 cows, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10% per kilogram of carcase weight.