Ways to Improve Heat-Detection Rates
(Part Two)
Transcript of Select Sires' Reproductive Moment Program
on DairyLine Radio, Which Aired March 11, 2004
with Ray Nebel,
professor of reproductive physiology,
Virginia Tech
This week’s Reproductive Moment is a continuation of the top 10 ways to take control of heat detection. Our guest is Dr. Ray Nebel, professor of reproductive physiology at Virginia Tech.
Ray, last week we discussed the first five tips to control heat detection, you mentioned, one – establishing a standard operating procedure; two - utilizing records; three - watching for sexually active groups of cows; four - minimizing a cow’s sore feet; and the fifth - cows should be observed as many times a day as possible.
As we move on here to rounding out the top 10, we have number six and seven here with timing and location. As you know, timing is everything. You can use time efficiently by observing the cows when the expression of estrus is most likely to occur. Now you are also saying location with timing.
On every farm, there are areas where there is more activity. An example would be at our dairy here, around the waterers. Over time the waterer spills over, the cows lap that water up and they have made the concrete around that waterer very, very slick. So, the cows go get water, but they don’t lounge around or spend time there. In a large free-stall operation, the ends of the free-stall where there is a crossover, where there is added space where they can move around cows congregate. So you need to know where cows congregate to give you the best location where activity will be.
Number eight on the list is using heat-detection aides wisely. What is your advice on that?
Well, there are a number of aids that are out, such as the KAMAR®, the BOVINE BEACON™, the ESTRUS ALERT™. There is chalk, and there is paint. These devices supplement our program, not replace the program. There are also electronic aids such as the heat-watch pedometers. Again, these are programs that should supplement our overall visual observations, they really are secondary to watching cows and seeing cows standing to be ridden by herdmates.
Number nine you talk about induced heat or ovulation.
In fact, I wrote an article today on, "What is your timed A.I. program?" We now have very well established programs, that hormonal programs, that we can induce ovulation that eliminates heat detection or minimizes the need for heat detection. We put a lot of work into this because of how difficult it is to catch cows in heat. So, there is a myriad of different programs that are out there, you need to consult your veterinarian, or A.I. representative for the program that best fits your herd. But again, we can go back and use the timed A.I. program for first service, for problem cows, or across the board.
Rounding out the top 10, Ray, don’t take short cuts.
That is right. Like in any job, if we take short cuts, many times, the short cut that we take may be the most critical step. Like we went over the group interaction of heat, the location, all these parts go into a heat detection program that will really make it to the point where we can breed a lot of cows and get good results as far as calving, reducing our calving intervals and have calves in for replacements.
Thank you Ray, that is Ray Nebel, professor of reproductive physiology at Virginia Tech.
®KAMAR is a registered trademark of and manufactured by Kamar, Inc., Steamboat Springs, Colo.
™BOVINE BEACON is a trademark of Omniglow Corp., W. Springfield, Mass.; ESTRUS ALERT is a trademark of Western Point Inc.
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