While it may seem like quite a straightforward task, accurately identifying cows in heat and serving these cows at the appropriate time is not without its challenges.

It is therefore important to consider measures that can make such a task easier, efficient and more accurate.

High six-week in-calf rates are a product of the following key breeding season targets:

  • Submission rates of >90% in the first three to six weeks.
  • Conception rates of 50% to 60% to first and second services.

    • In order to achieve these targets, cows eligible for breeding must be cycling, showing heat and be in good uterine and metabolic health. Pre-breeding heat detection and reproductive ultrasound scanning enables the prompt identification and treatment of problem cows.

    Any cow that suffered from illness or ailment around calving should undergo veterinary examination prior to breeding, including cows that had a difficult calving, twin pregnancy, milk fever, retained placenta, ketosis, displaced abomasum, or lameness.

    These cows are at a higher risk of developing uterine and ovarian disease. The early detection and treatment of these affords them the greatest opportunity to resume normal ovarian cyclicity.

    Cows not observed to be in heat should always undergo an ultrasound examination of the reproductive tract. Ultrasonography can also be used to detect sub-fertile or poorly fertile cows who may be displaying heat but may have poor conception rates. This information enables us to make evidence-based decisions on appropriate sire selection for individual cows, ensuring that replacement stock are bred only from the top-performing cows.

    Synchronisation regimes are an effective means of maximising reproductive efficiency early in the breeding season.

    Pre-breeding ultrasound scanning and examination identifies cows or heifers in the herd suitable for synchronisation regimes.

    On farms where labour may be in short supply, synchronisation of cows on heat ensures a greater number of cows are inseminated at the correct time and helps to limit the time required for heat detection in these cows.

    Cathal Ó Sé works at Riverview Veterinary Group, Bandon, Co Cork, part of XLVets. See www.xlvets.ie for more.