Pregnancy test in dairy cows to increase feed efficiency

This practice abstract presents the use of milk pregnancy testing as a tool to improve reproductive management and feed efficiency in dairy farms.

The test is based on pregnancy-associated glycoproteins detected in milk and allows farmers to identify cows that have lost their pregnancy between diagnosis and 100 days after insemination. Results are available within 24 to 48 hours through a non-invasive sampling process.

By detecting non-pregnant animals earlier, farmers can reduce unintended open days, shorten days in milk, improve feed efficiency, and enhance the overall environmental performance of dairy production systems. Results from Spanish demonstration farms showed that pregnancy losses can remain undetected in a proportion of cows previously considered pregnant.