Ai manual chapter 03 heat detection
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Inseminacao Artificial em Bovinos ABS Global
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Ai manual chapter 03 heat detection
- 18. Observation
- 25. Heat Watch © System
- 28. Chin-ball Marker
- 31. Kamar ® Heatmount Detector
- 33. Tail Chalking
- 36. Checklists
- 38. Errors in Heat Detection
- 45. Frequency and Time of Service
- 46. Non Return Rates
Editor's Notes
- In this section we will be learning about a critical component to the success or failure of an A.I. program. Follow along in your manual beginning on page 3-2. Feel free to ask questions and to take notes as we discuss this important component.
- Remember, every cow is an individual. Focus on the range, not the number of days.
- As we discussed in the physiology section, the heat cycle is controlled by two hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen causes the external signs of heat to occur, making A.I. possible. Progesterone keeps her from coming into heat for the duration of a pregnancy, or if not pregnant, for about 18-24 days.
- Obviously a pregnancy can occur only when an egg is present for the sperm to fertilize. Knowing that the egg is released after the external signs of heat such as standing to be mounted end, and that the sperm will last about 24 hours in the female, we want to breed her in the latter 2/3rds of heat to increase our odds for pregnancy.
- Here we see that sperm are viable for 24 hours and that it takes them 8 hours to reach the oviducts where fertilization will occur. Note that the egg is released at the end of the heat and will be viable for about 8 hours. This diagram illustrates the logic for breeding in the latter part of the heat. We want the egg to be present when both it and the semen are at high levels of viability.
- A female that stands to be mounted is positively in heat. Understanding that cows who are coming into heat, in heat, and going out of heat, tend to group together helps improve detection by narrowing the search. Remember the one that stands is in heat for sure, the one jumping may or may not be in heat. She may be coming in, or going out of heat.
- Which one of these cows is in heat? We can bet the house on the one standing, the one jumping I’d like more signs before being sure. Let’s look at some additional signs that could confirm it.
- Rough hair, or in some cases the hair rubbed off the tailhead, can be an indication that she was ridden, this is where the logic for tail chalking and heat aids such as the Kamar came from. If mud is present, you may see it on the flanks and hips of the animal that has been ridden.
- Unusually friendly, she’s trying to attract a mate.
- When in heat the cow looks for the bull to mate with, this is why she bawls more, paces, and watches with interest anything that moves.
- A drop in milk production can occur because of the increase in her activity, instead of eating and resting she will be on the move trying to find a mate.
- Another sign of heat is clear mucus.
- Subtle changes occur to the vulva, a cow in heat will look a bit swollen and moist, the hairs around the vulva will be matted. The inside of the lips will be a brighter pink because of the increased blood flow. These signs are easier to observe in dairy cattle because they are confined; however, they occur in the beef cow too.
- Bloody mucus is sometimes observed. This is a positive sign that the cow was in heat. It usually occurs two or three days after the heat. When observed mark your calendar. It is not an indication of pregnancy.
- Producers, the more you watch the more you catch. Having everyone in the operation trained to detect heat increases your odds of catching the cow. Have a system in place that will get the information to the person or persons accountable for the breeding.
- Patterning, when possible with a little grain or hay, makes heat observation easier than having to ride the entire pasture. The more times you watch the more heats you catch.
- Simply put, observing heats only once-a-day means you will miss over 71% of the standing heats.
- On page 3-4 of your manual is a chart that can be helpful in deciding the stage of heat the cow or heifer is in. (Discuss the chart with the class)
- This validates the logic for watching for heats early in the morning and late in the afternoon or early in the evening.
- This is likely because of management practices effecting the cows environment, such as, 3x-a-day milking, feed push up times, etc. In these situations more intense heat detection is needed.
- Intense heat detection is needed when heats are spread out all day and night. Having all people that are in contact with the cows trained to be aware of the signs of heat will help catch the most heats.
- Heat detection aids range from high-tech to simple chalk. Pages 3-5 to 3-9 of your manual have the specifics on these.
- The transmitter sends info to the receiver to be viewed on a computer.
- Provides the ultimate, 24-hour observation. Pin points onset of estrus, and counts the number of mounts.
- This is what the patch containing the transmitter looks like.
- A leg band or a neck chain with a transponder are the most frequent types of these. When in heat remember that the cow becomes restless, paces, etc. This is what is measured. It is then compared to a normal amount of activity to make a decision as to heat or not.
- The Chin-ball is a halter with a paint reservoir. When the animal wearing it mounts the animal in heat a paint mark is left on the in heat animal. There is a learning curve to reading the marks.
- Here you see the chin-ball halter, and a marker animal mounting with one on.
- Marker animals can be female or altered males. Androgenized cows are treated with testosterone and work very well, reducing the danger of having a bull with the herd.
- The Kamar has been around for a long time and helps to identify cows that have stood to be mounted for at least 3 seconds. Make sure that there is nothing for the cow to rub on to reduce false readings.
- Tail chalking also works to ID cows that have been standing. It takes time to learn to read the marks. Was the chalk rubbed from riding, or licked off, etc?
- Freshen chalk daily for best results.
- How can you determine progress without them? Records help spot trends and allow managers to be proactive.
- Having a checklist helps keep things on track. Knowing what cows to watch and when to watch them will improve the number of heats caught.
- Here’s a check list example. (discuss with class)
- Used together with observation, it confirms heats. To get pregnant the cow must be in heat.
- This chart illustrates the percent of cows that were not in heat when these signs of heat were observed.
- Understand that a cow has an order of life, 1. she must have enough feed to survive (body condition), 2. she must have enough feed to provide milk to feed her calf (short her and she loses body weight). When she loses body weight she halts reproduction.
- Knowing the herd and where they congregate at certain times, example shade trees, water hole, etc. will accomplish this too. Having a restricted area makes it easier to separate the animals that are in heat.
- Utilize the herds habits to make heat detection and gathering easier.
- Growing heifers properly will allow them to reach production by 22 to 26 months of age. Getting her on the income producing side of the ledger.
- Give her time to repair, breeding too soon will not improve pregnancy rates.
- A.M.-P.M. meant that if the cow was observed in heat in the morning she was bred in the afternoon, and vice versa if she was observed in the afternoon. Today we know that once-a-day insemination is just as effective, if used with good heat detection practices.
- Note there is no significant difference in pregnancy rates. There is a significant difference in the amount of labor though.
- Another set of data that shows once-a-day works fine.
- Each of these factors play a role in pregnancy rates. Maximizing cow comfort will enhance those rates.
- Stress on the cow or the inseminator will have a negative effect on pregnancy rates. When using heat detection with synchronization it reduces confusion if those detected are removed from the group.
- Remember that the range for the cycle is 18 to 24 days, standing heat will occur for 6 to 18 hours, the egg will be released 6-10 hours after standing heat ends, and the sperm will live about 24 hours. The more times you observe for heats the more heats you’ll catch. Inseminate in latter 2/3rds of standing heat.
- Know that there is no significant difference between a.m.-p.m. and once-a-day pregnancy rates. Use heat aids to cover times when observation is not possible.
- Grow heifers to be cycling and of a size to breed by 15 months; therefore, calving at 22-26 months of age. It is CRITICAL to know she’s in heat to get maximum pregnancy rates. Timing of insemination is not as critical as once thought.