Heat Detection
Detection of heat: the challenges of Silent Heat
Timing of artificial insemination is critical, with even 24 hours out from the optimal timing having a major effect on fertility. Failure to AI is costly and some cows are incorrectly identified as infertile due to heat is not being observed. A proportion of missed heats are due to the cow failing to display the …
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Fertility Metrics: Measuring Fertility in Dairy Herds
Managing herd fertility is one of the most important considerations of dairy producers. Poor fertility can have severe economic consequences and problems can easily go unnoticed if adequate monitoring is not in place. Measuring fertility in dairy herds is the first step towards successful management practices. To do this, many farmers use a variety of …
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Progesterone Profiling in Dairy Cows: A Study
Previously, we’ve discussed how progesterone varies during the oestrous cycle of cattle and how identifying heat is one of the most important parts of dairy herd management. Recently we profiled three cows from a local farm in a small pilot study as part of our ongoing commitment to ensure P4Gold is the best it can …
P4Gold, Timed AI and Synchronisation Protocols
There are many different strategies for managing herd fertility in dairy herds. From different calving systems to synchronisation and timed artificial insemination, the options are many. P4Gold is a valuable tool, regardless of what system is in place. What is Timed AI? Timed AI is usually used in conjunction with synchronisation programmes. It involves inducing …
A Very Brief History of Milk Progesterone Measurement
With the shift from using bulls to primarily using artificial insemination to cover cattle, there has been a corresponding push to develop accurate heat detection methods. A mistimed AI can be expensive and, in the worst case scenarios, cause infection or pregnancy loss. Progesterone tests emerged as one of the best methods of heat detection, …
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Block Calving Systems
What is block calving? Block calving,1 is when cows in a herd only calve during a specific period of time. This is usually a block of 6 to 12 weeks, but can be longer. Some producers have a single calving block in a year, others have two blocks, usually one in spring, and one in …
Artificial Insemination (AI) of Dairy Cattle
What is Artificial Insemination (AI)? Artificial Insemination, or AI, is the process of deliberate fertilisation of a female animal, by a human operator, using previously collected semen. It has been practised in many different species all over the world for over 60 years, from cows and other livestock, to dogs and horses. Some captive breeding …
Cows in Heat: The Bovine Oestrous Cycle
What is the oestrous cycle? The oestrous cycle is a series of changes that a female animal’s body goes through to prepare for fertilisation and pregnancy. These changes, both behavioural and physiological, are driven by hormonal fluctuations. Understanding how cows go into and out of heat is vital for the modern dairy farmer. What does …
