Gaining Confidence and Control: Amanda’s Experience with the Pregnancy Testing Course

Running a property comes with many challenges — from managing livestock to making breeding decisions that impact productivity and profitability. For Amanda, completing the Pregnancy Testing Course with Orion Training has been a game-changer for both her confidence and her cattle operations.

Saving Time, Cutting Costs, and Boosting Productivity

Amanda found the Pregnancy Testing Course to be one of the most valuable investments she’s made for her property.

“Having the ability to pregnancy test my own herd at any time is a huge advantage,” Amanda said. “It saves time, reduces costs, and helps prevent potential issues before they become major problems.”

She explained that being able to test her herd herself means she can also assess the performance of her bulls as part of the process.

“When you pregnancy test your own herd, you’re also checking how capable your bull is,” she said. “If I discover a low pregnancy rate, I can make quick decisions — like changing bulls or adjusting breeding practices — much earlier in the season. That knowledge makes all the difference for achieving better outcomes.”

Building Knowledge, Confidence, and Independence

On a personal level, Amanda feels that completing the course has been empowering.

“It’s really enhanced my skills, knowledge, and confidence as a property owner,” she said. “Being able to pregnancy test my own herd gives me more control and independence. I feel more self-sufficient and capable of managing my breeding program effectively.”

A Well-Structured and Effective Learning Experience

Amanda was impressed by the balance between theory and hands-on learning in the course.

“The combination of pre-learning materials, theory sessions, and three days of practical work was really well structured,” she said. “It gave me everything I needed to understand the process and feel confident performing pregnancy testing back on my own property.”

A Seamless Enrollment Experience

From start to finish, Amanda found the process of enrolling and communicating with the Orion team smooth and supportive.

“It was easy to stay in touch with the office, ask questions, and get enrolled,” she said. “The emails kept me up to date with every step, and the staff were always available by phone, text, or email. It made everything simple and stress-free.”

The Value of Pre-Learning Resources

Before attending the course, Amanda took advantage of the pre-learning materials provided by Orion — including reading materials and videos — which she found extremely beneficial.

“The pre-learning helped refresh my existing knowledge and gave me the confidence to start the course prepared,” she said. “It really made a difference. I even scored 100% on the multiple-choice quiz because I’d studied the materials beforehand!”

Expert, Supportive Training

Amanda also praised her trainer, Matt, for creating a positive and encouraging learning environment.

“Matt made the course fun and was very approachable,” she said. “He was patient and supportive while teaching the manual palpation technique. When it came time to put my hand in the cow, I felt confident in what I was doing. Thanks to Matt’s teaching, I now feel ready to pregnancy test my own herd.”

Putting New Skills into Practice

After completing the course, Amanda wasted no time putting her skills to the test — literally. She pregnancy tested 70 cows for her neighbour, who already knew that two of them were empty.

“I correctly identified the same two cows as empty,” she said proudly. “I also accurately diagnosed the pregnancy stages for the rest of the herd. That experience really confirmed that the training worked.”

A New Level of Confidence on the Land

Completing the Pregnancy Testing Course has given Amanda more than just technical skills — it’s given her confidence, independence, and the ability to make proactive breeding decisions.

“I’m so glad I did this course,” she said. “It’s not just about saving money or time — it’s about having the knowledge to make better choices for my herd and my property.”

Interested in gaining hands-on livestock breeding skills like Amanda?
Explore Orion Training’s Pregnancy Testing Course and learn how to take control of your herd’s breeding outcomes through expert-led, practical training.

Amanda Burcher

Queensland