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HEAT DETECT ION
ROSE JACKSON,
SCARSDALE VETERINARY GROUP
JAMES MARSDEN,
SHROPSHIRE FARM VETS
Raising the bar on
heat
detection
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
23
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
James Marsden
Shropshire Farm
Vets
Rose Jackson
Scarsdale Veterinary
Group
XLVets Rose Jackson from the
Scarsdale Veterinary Group, Derby
and James Marsden, Shropshire
Farm Vets, Shrewsbury
comment
on techniques to improve heat
detection rates. Shropshire
producer Tim Downes shows us
what can be done on farm.
When it comes to getting cows in calf, heat
detection is only half the story. But, producers
do have control of this. Improving submission
rates will help improve 100 day in calf rates
and reverse the downward trend in overall
pregnancy rates - all factors that contribute to
herd profitability.
‘As vets, we aim to set our producer clients
a target of 50% heat detection rates,’ says
Rose Jackson. ‘However, according to recent
NMR data, only average rates of 30% are
being achieved.’
A few factors go towards explaining why this
is happening - reduced skilled farm staffing
rates, cow genetics and lameness. ‘The stress
of lameness can actually affect ovulation as
well as reduce the intensity of oestrus - a lame
cow will take an extra 40 days to get in calf.
Only 50% of Holstein cows will show true
standing heat and so stock people need to be
even more vigilant when looking for bulling
cows in these herds.’
There are several ways to improve heat
detection on farm. The simplest system, if you
have the manpower, is to observe the cows
for signs of heat, four times a day for 30
minutes at a time. It is important that these
observation times do not coincide with milking
time or feeding and that one of the
observations is after 10pm at night.
‘In reality, most farms are too busy to achieve
this nowadays,’ adds Rose. ‘So they need to
rely on additional methods. Heat detection
aids vary in simplicity and cost. At one end
of the scale are ‘cheap and cheerful’ heat
detection stickers but these still rely on a
skilled stockperson to look out for any
changes and they can be falsely activated.’
The development of new technology;
pedometers and progressing to activity meters
with electronic collars linked up to wireless
system, are showing that new levels of heat
detection can be achieved. ‘Some of these
devices are taking heat detection to new, and
very welcome levels.
‘It may mean a significant investment, although
some grants are available, but once set up
and running it shouldn’t take long to see
the cost-benefit on many units with better
submission rates, better pregnancy rates and
an improved calving interval. And as well as
detecting bulling cows, they can also be
helpful in identifying sick cows; those with
reduced activity could be cause for concern.
‘In an ideal world, I would recommend using
an automated activity meter system plus a
manual observation after 10pm,’ says Rose.
Veterinary surgeon
Rose Jackson
XLVets practice
Scarsdale Veterinary
Group
Veterinary surgeon
James Marsden
XLVets practice
Shropshire Farm Vets
Tim’s cows have Silent Herdsman collars that pick up activity 24/7
and relay information to the computer via a wireless system