Prediction of calving date in beef cows by real-time ultrasonic scanning.
Three hundred pregnant beef cows between 35 and 125 days of gestation were scanned ultrasonically and their calving dates were predicted from measurements of fetal parts. The mean difference between the actual and predicted calving dates was 0.9 day with a standard deviation of 9.0 days. The accuracy and precision of the prediction of calving date were sufficient to be of benefit in the management of cows in late pregnancy and at calving.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005865:Gestational Age; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*