For anyone involved in the dairy industry, this question might have a very clear answer. Milk is, after all, the entire basis of the industry. However, what is it that makes milk such an important aspect of human life? What is it actually made of and why do we drink it? Mammals and lactation In …
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, …
A Very Brief History of Milk Progesterone Measurement Read More »
What is progesterone? While perhaps not as well-known a female sex hormone as oestrogen, progesterone is one of the most important hormones in the female reproductive system. Although most commonly associated with mammals, this hormone is produced by many different animals, from chickens and turtles to fish and sea urchins. As a steroidal sex hormone, …
Mental Health Awareness Week is coming up, and so we’re taking a look the impact of mental health on the dairy industry. A study by the Farm Safety Foundation (FSF) found that nearly 90% of farmers under 40 feel that poor mental health is the biggest problem they face. Mental health discussions have been surrounded …
Maintaining Good Mental Health in the Agricultural Sector Read More »
It’s nearly Earth Day 2021, and this year’s theme is Restore Our Earth! So let’s have a look at cows and their impact on the environment and what we can do about it. We’ve all heard about how greenhouse gasses are contributing to climate change. We’ve been told the agricultural industry needs to take action …
Pregnancy is one the most important times in the lives of dairy and beef cows. For dairy cows, a successful and well-timed pregnancy will give the best milk yield and provide replacement stock for the herd. Accurate data on pregnancy status of cattle can aid in culling decisions; breeding management and timing; and inform decisions …
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 …
Rearing calves from newborns to replacement heifers or for sale can be a challenging and rewarding experience. Producers around the world do their best to maximise growth and health whilst ensuring proper development in their calves. But that is only half of the story. By the time a calf takes its first breath, it has …
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 …
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 …
