OVSYNCH

A Method for Breeding Dairy Cows Without Doing Heat Detection

Abstract

Ovsynch has been widely reported in the lay press and has understandably created considerable interest among dairy producers seeking better herd reproductive performance and/or elimination of heat detection. This program may produce acceptable results but, in my opinion, it is still too early to predict what results will be on your clients' farms. While many recent estrus control programs and heat detection aids are most helpful in freestall and loose housing arrangements, Ovsynch offers relief from the pressure to do lx or 2x daily turn-out of cows for heat detection in herds housed in stanchion barns. Methods of estrus control (other than Ovsynch) using only PGF have produced similar results in dairy herd reproductive management trials but contemporary experimental comparisons are not yet available.