Dyersville Sales Company

Information about Probing Heifers

Heifers are probed using the RU-AN Freemartin Probe.  This probe has been developed to detect freemartin heifers and/or determine if heifers born co-twin to a bull have a normal reproductive tract.  The probe is designed to be used on heifers 30 days of age or less.  Heifers that are probed will be classified as on the following:

The text within parentheses ( ) is the key that is being used to market reports.

• Good (OK): This heifer has a higher likelihood of being normal.

• Questionable (?): The probe test cannot determine if the heifer is normal.  If the probe is removed and blood is present, the heifer will be classified as questionable.

• Not Good (NB): This heifer has a high likelihood of being a freemartin with an abnormal reproductive tract.

The probe test is not a guarantee of breeding ability and should not be interpreted as such.

If you have any questions regarding this test, please talk to the sale barn veterinarian.