Large Animal
Cattle Pregnancy Checks in Lincoln, AR
Welcome to Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln, where we offer cattle pregnancy checks as part of our large animal services for producers in Lincoln, Prairie Grove, Farmington, Summers, and everywhere in between.
Understanding Cattle Pregnancy Checks
Knowing which cows and heifers are bred, and which are open, is one of the most useful pieces of information a cattle operation can have. A pregnancy check gives you that answer early enough to act on it, so you can plan your calving season, sort your herd and make feed and marketing decisions with confidence instead of guesswork.
An open cow costs about as much to feed through the winter as a bred one, and finding open cows early gives you more options for rebreeding, culling or selling. Cows can also look and act bred without actually being pregnant, and early losses often go unnoticed without a check.
Our experienced veterinarians also assist with pregnancy and problem births and offer cattle reproductive services, so a pregnancy check can be one part of a broader plan for your herd’s reproductive health.
What to Expect From a Pregnancy Check
We work with you to make pregnancy checks safe, efficient and useful for your operation. Here’s how the process works:
Planning the Right Timing
The best time to check depends on when your bulls went in or when your cows were bred, and on what you want to learn. Our doctor will discuss timing with you when you call, so the check gives you the most useful information for your operation.
On Your Farm or at Our Facility
We offer large animal ambulatory services by appointment only, so we can come to you on a farm call. We also have a fully-equipped on-site large animal facility here in Lincoln.
Working Cattle Safely
Good working facilities, such as a sturdy chute or headcatch and a calm way to move cattle, help keep your animals and our team safe and make the visit go smoothly. Have your cattle penned before we arrive and your breeding or bull turnout dates handy.
Putting the Results to Work
After the check, we can talk through what the results mean for your herd, from grouping cows by expected calving time to deciding what to do with open animals.
Benefits of Pregnancy Checking Your Herd
Pregnancy checks are valuable for cow-calf operations of every size, from a few head on a family farm to larger commercial herds.
- Lower feed costs: Avoid carrying open cows through the winter.
- Better calving plans: Group cows by expected calving time and prepare for the season ahead.
- Bull performance: Find out how well your bulls performed during a defined breeding season.
- Buying and selling: Know the status of bred cattle you buy or sell.
- Early warning: Spot reproductive problems in your herd while there’s still time to address them.
Because pregnancy status ties into nutrition, vaccination and overall herd health, a check is also a natural time to talk about other parts of your management program, including herd healthcare, parasite evaluation and minor field surgical services. Our team cares for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and other farm animals. See everything we offer on our large animal services page.
Schedule Your Cattle Pregnancy Checks Today
Make confident herd decisions with pregnancy checks from Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln. Let us know how many head you need checked and when they were bred so we can plan the right amount of time.
Call us at (479) 824-3299 or visit us at 2157 E Pridemore Dr. in Lincoln. We’re open Monday through Thursday 7:30am–5:30pm and Friday 7:30am–5:00pm.
Cattle Pregnancy Checks: Frequently Asked Questions
When should my cows be pregnancy checked?
Timing depends on your breeding season, when your bulls were turned out or your cows were bred, and what you need to know, whether that’s simply bred or open or a closer idea of how far along each cow is. Our doctor will discuss timing with you when you schedule, so the check fits your calving and marketing plans.
Why should I check cows that already look bred?
Cows can look and act bred without actually being pregnant, and early pregnancy losses often go unnoticed. A pregnancy check gives you a reliable answer, so you aren’t feeding open cows through the winter or counting on calves that aren’t coming. It can also point to reproductive problems in your herd early, while there’s still time to address them.
Do you come to the farm for pregnancy checks?
Yes. We offer large animal ambulatory services by appointment only, and our farm calls include routine preventative care along with diagnosis and treatment of sick animals. We also have a fully-equipped on-site large animal facility in Lincoln. Give us a call and we’ll talk through which option works best for you and your cattle.
How should I prepare for a pregnancy check?
Have your cattle penned before we arrive and make sure your chute or headcatch is in good working order. Calm handling, good footing and enough help to move animals make the visit safer and faster. Having your breeding dates or bull turnout dates handy also helps us interpret the results for you.
How do I schedule cattle pregnancy checks and what are your hours?
Call Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln at (479) 824-3299 to schedule a farm call or a visit to our large animal facility at 2157 E Pridemore Dr. in Lincoln. Let us know how many head you need checked and when they were bred so we can plan the right amount of time. We’re open Monday through Thursday 7:30am–5:30pm and Friday 7:30am–5:00pm.