Beef suckler tests

Regardless of your feeding system, blood testing remains a rapid and cost effective method of 'Asking the Cow's what they think of their ration before it is too late.

Sheet 3 input form (164.42 KB PDF)

Beef Suckler metabolic profiles (573.92 KB PDF)

 

Pre-planned blood sampling of groups of cows at strategic times in the key. Groups of no less than five cows - which are representative of the herd - should be sampled.

Timing

• A metabolic profile test should be carried out once the cows have been on full winter rations for at least 2-3 weeks to check the adequacy of the base ration.

There are two main periods for testing for block calving suckler herds:

• Sample a group of the first cows due to calve in the last fortnight of pregnancy before calving starts.
• Follow this with a repeat blood test 2-3 weeks after calving.

Samples to submit

Please submit two Lithium Heparin (green) vacutainers from each animal.

Tests Analysed

• Energy - NEFA, BOHB
• Protein - Albumin, Globulin and Urea-N
• Minerals - Magnesium and Phosphate
• Trace Elements - Copper and GSHPx (selenium)

Information Required

• Details of expected or recent calving date for each animal.
• Body condition scores, and body weight (if practical).
• Current ration details, including forage analyses where available.

Prices

Transport of Samples