This takes up enormous energy on the part of the farmer, but the rewards are massive.

Compact calving, lots of replacements and more surplus stock are some of the benefits. The target is to have 75% to 80% of the cows pregnant after the first six weeks of breeding, so when you include the heifers next spring, over 90% of the herd will calve in six weeks.

Spotting the cows in heat is the first thing. How many signs of heat are there? Two or three? In fact, there are 10.

Of these, there are probably only three sure signs of heat, but a good stockperson will spot the other signals and use these to build up the case as to whether the cow is on or not.

  • 1. The most definite sign is when a cow is standing to be mounted by other cows.
  • 2. Tail paint is removed.
  • 3. Heat mount detector (kamar or scratch card) is triggered.
  • 4. The cow attempts to mount other cows.
  • 5. Tail paint is rubbed, but not removed.
  • 6. The cow is restless or bellowing or acting out of character, such as running on the farm roadway.
  • 7. The cow has poor milk let-down.
  • 8. You see clear mucus around the vulva.
  • 9. You see mud marks on the flanks.
  • 10. The heat mount detector is lost.

    • Heat detection aids such as tail paint or other devices such as scratch cards or kamars or vasectomised bulls are essential for good results.

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    Plan for breeding maiden heifers