#50in50 Video 41 Heat detection is the main game right now

Video 41 Heat detection

We have entered the breeding season a critical time of year for farmers and their cows. In grass-based systems achieving a tight breeding season ensures maximum days in milk and days at grass next year. It also ensures we can keep cows in the herd for 2021. Our 3^rd and 4rth lactation animals produce over 100kg of milk solids more than our 1^st lactation heifers. Keeping cows in the system for as long as possible must be the aim of a profitable farming enterprise. For sucklers, a tight calving pattern means we can achieve our target of calf/per cow/per year.

So now the focus turns to breeding. The biggest job for the next 9-12 weeks where farms are using A.I (artificial insemination) is good heat detection. Over the first 3 weeks of breeding, we aim to have a submission rate of over 90%. This can only be achieved by maximizing the number of eligible cows as I discussed previously in both sucklers and dairy cows.

So there are four key elements to heat detection.

1. Observe observe observe 

To pick up cows in the heat we must be dedicated to observing for heats. This must be done at least 3 times a day for 20-30 minutes. The effort now will have a long term pay off in your herd. While in the future we may rely more and more on technology to aid us in this process. We still need to be actively checking for heats. Importantly if we are not observing heats or enough bulling we must act fast to investigate. So each week the aim is for 30% of the herd to be seen bulling for the first 3 weeks (90% SR).

As the season progresses, energy and enthusiasm for this job can wane. This is when we need more focus than ever because heat activity will naturally decline as we have fewer animals coming round.

We only have about four breeding cycles to get this right and every missed heat is costing us money.

So the first tip is get into the routine of observing and stick with it.

2. Use detection aids 

Thankfully many aids can make this job easier. We must utilize these heat detection aids and use them correctly. Doreen Corridan of Munster bovine recently did a video series on these aids and is worth a watch.

Simple things like clipping the hair before applying tail paint. With heifers combining scratch cards and crayons. Remember heifers are lighter in weight and will therefore not be as good at rubbing off tail paint.

Technology is increasingly becoming better also with many detection aids on the market. When using these continue to observe regularly and ensure the accuracy of the systems you are using. When you become more comfortable with the results then you can build more trust around technology doing the work for you.

One fabulous tool for heat detection as the season progresses is the vasectomized bull. When you want something done right call in the expert. In the video above I talk about some of these aids and top tips.

Remember if we are not seeing heats it is never too late to get your vet in to work with you and get these ladies investigated. I have covered previously the importance of regular interventions every 3 weeks during breeding. Focus on cows calved 45 plus days not seen bulling. It is also a fantastic time to start utilizing synchronization programs to help you tighten your calving interval.

3. Catch those standing heats 

Know the signs of heat. With cows, they are bulling when we observe a standing heat. They stand to be mounted. This standing heat can last for 8-20 hours and is critical to observe. Twelve hours after this we will have ovulation where the egg is released.

There can be many other signals for heat detection with cows coming into heat and also going out I discuss in the above video.

With regular observation and good use of detection aids, we can pinpoint more accurately these standing heats. This allows us to time A.I better and maximizes our conception rates.

So having cows bulling is our starting point. Then picking these up accurately will allow for the best timing when it comes to A.I

4. Timing is everything 

Getting AI timing right is crucial to higher conception rates. If we observe standing heats we traditionally would have used the AM/PM rule. This is where we AI’d the cow 12 hours after we have seen her in heat. This often meant farms were using AI twice daily. This works well, so bulling this morning AI this evening.

Some farms have now moved to once a day AI with good results. This means breeding animals seen in heat in the last 24 hours. This leaves a longer window but with sperm surviving for 24-36 hours we can still obtain good results.

Some will decide to use a second straw on cows the following day. I’m lucky to have one of my best friends Denis is a vet and reproduction expert. He says farmers should be only aiming to use a second straw in about 10% or less in once a day AI.

This will be for cows seen in standing heat after being AI’d that day. So for a minority of these cases in once a day AI we may have been going in too early.

So they are my four top tips to heat detection. While mainly focused on the dairy herd many sucklers will also be using AI for the first 3 weeks and the same rules apply.

One comment I will make also is with milk price now dropping be careful cutting feed during breeding.

Our cows are hitting peak lactation and we don’t want any negative stressors during this time. Match your yields with your intakes as in the table below. Meal will be very expensive if it is cut out in situations where it shouldn’t be.

Thought for the day

Far away hills are often greener. Spend more time focusing on what you have and less time on what you don’t have.

Huge thanks to Nettex Progiene and Rumenco for their support in putting #50in50 together for more information click here https://www.rumenco.co.uk/products/beef/bulling

Happy safe farming