Breeding Cows Without Estrous Detection

Abstract

Estrous detection is a major management problem on many dairy farms. It has been estimated that approximately 40 to 50 percent of all estrous periods of lactating dairy cows are not detected (1,2). It has also been estimated that 16 to 20 percent of all dairy cows presented for insemination are not in estrous as evidenced by high levels of milk progesterone at the time of breeding (3,4). Many errors are made in not "detecting" cows that are actually not in heat. Both of these problems can be very costly errors. Methods to improve or eliminate the necessity of estrous detection should be of interest to all dairymen and their veterinarians. The use of rapid progesterone assays may be of benefit to dairymen with estrous detection problems.