Suckler cow heat detection

just do it

I very nearly gave up on AI last year after 3 years of frustration. However I got it spot on last year and had 15 of 16 conceive using around 25 straws. Happy days...

But maybe not. Heat detection hasn't gone so well this year and I've mentioned here previously my vasectomised bull being short in stature isn't marking the cows as much as you'd like. But I've been suspicious that a lot of cows were bullying and I've just missed them. There was a table in last week's journal showing % heat detection by time of day: 7am 47%, 4pm 20% and 11pm 20%. There was 2 other times between 7am and 4pm which each showed 5%. With the vasectomised bull I've gotten lazy and haven't been visiting the cows other than early morning and evening when I get home. So since the weekend I've started spending a bit more time watching and hey presto. Vas bull does nothing for first 5-10mins while I'm around as I'm distracting him. Then he's drawn towards ladies that are within 12-24hrs of standing heat. Last night I paid a visit at 11pm and there was a cow bulling mad. At 5.30am this morning you'd never guess either by her appearance or behaviour.

So after a slow start to breeding season I'll be visiting the cows for 20mins early morning and last thing and try to fit in late afternoon/ early evening visit as well. Lesson - you still need to spend plenty time observing the cows!

Muckit

No doubt about it, AI'ing cows ain't easy...no hold on... AI'ing them is easy.... spotting them is a balls! Especially the last few!


can you use the calving cameras to spot them early and late at night?

Muckit

definitely a market there for some lad to come up with a good heat detection aid other than patches/paint/vast bull... something electronic that's affordable to the suckler lad with 20 or so cows

pakalasa

just do it wrote: »

..... At 5.30am this morning you'd never guess either by her appearance or behaviour...

So was the vasectomised bull mounting the cow when she was bulling? If so did he not mark her?

blue5000

http://www.progressivegenetics.ie/testsite/heatime.php

I don't know how cookies work but some blastard has put an ad on the page faster than I could copy and paste this

whelan1

blue5000 wrote: »

http://www.progressivegenetics.ie/testsite/heatime.php

I don't know how cookies work but some blastard has put an ad on the page faster than I could copy and paste this

i have that, not sure how you would work it with sucklers, works well for me... i dont have heat time horizon

just do it

pakalasa wrote: »

So was the vasectomised bull mounting the cow when she was bulling? If so did he not mark her?

Yes he's mounting but not tall enough to get up over and therefore his chin doesn't come down and leave a nice clean line down along her back when he dismounts. He also has a habit of resting his chin on them when they're lying down so a few small marks doesn't necessarily mean anything.

I think I was spoiled with the last vasectomised bull I had as he left them nicely marked 2mins morning and evening was all the watching I had to do. He'd still be there except he got wicked towards the end of last year's breeding season and went straight to the meat hook.

just do it

blue5000 wrote: »

http://www.progressivegenetics.ie/testsite/heatime.php

I don't know how cookies work but some blastard has put an ad on the page faster than I could copy and paste this

It's reading your mind blue;)

wiggy123

there is systems out there-from what reports i got back,when enquired around.. they work in the field and use work stations, collect data-from collars.. can be used in suckler herds.. very expensive, some of the kits-a few thousand upwards! must recheck emails...
as i run a small pedigree herd,of angus's 1 and last year was a nightmare, re heat detection, like lottery at times.. weather to blame me thinks! fingers crossed season ahead, be much improved..get some sun light.. stay in heat longer-the females

bogman_bass

I must say the best heat detection add is having an auld lad at home.
I'd be lost without him

Bizzum

bogman_bass wrote: »

I must say the best heat detection add is having an auld lad at home.
I'd be lost without him

Has he the chinball on? :-)

just do it

bogman_bass wrote: »

I must say the best heat detection add is having an auld lad at home.
I'd be lost without him

Does he fancy a 9 week holiday each year?!

trixi2011

hey the chin ball may not be working but if you were to tailpaint the cows surly the bull would have the tailpaint rubbed off.