22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Determination of Time Difference Between Two Commonly Used Heat Detection Systems in Gelbvieh Cattle
Justin M. Nash
Dr. Glenn R. Wehner, Faculty Mentor
Many types of estrus detectors are currently used in the cattle industry; each detector has a different method for detecting standing estrus. After dividing 22 Gelbvieh cows into three separate groups, both a Bovine Beacon and an Estrotect scratcher were placed on their lower back. After only a single mount, the Bovine Beacon will often activate; however, this does not necessarily mean that the cow is in standing heat. The scratcher takes multiple mounts before the entire underside is exposed. It was hypothesized that the scratcher would provide a more accurate determination of standing estrus. The data showed that on average, the difference in time between the full activation of both detectors was approximately 4.45 hours. In addition, the Beacon was found to have activated earlier on 64% of the cows. This determination could be quite useful when deciding on a time to inseminate, which could ultimately lead to lower human labor costs devoted to visual heat detection.
Keywords: estrus detection, standing heat, Bovine Beacon, Estrotect
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 23-1
Location: VH 1416
Time: 9:45