The Use of Pedometry for Estrus Detection in Dairy Cows in Israel

Abstract

The objectives of this review are to describe the use of pedometry on commercial dairy farms in Israel, to evaluate its efficiency in heat detection and to describe a clinical trial comparing between pedometry and the Ovsynch technique. Pedometry is the major tool of heat detection on most farms in Israel today. On many farms automated electronic pedometry is the sole mean of heat detection. Production and reproduction parameters are monitored by Hachaklait Veterinary Services Ltd. Results are compared with the farm history and with national means and goals. The average herd rate of undetected heat in more than 120 herds recorded between 2004 and 2008 has increased from 30.3 to 38.9% in primiparous cows and from 33.9 to 43.9% in multiparous cows respectively. The average duration of the waiting period has dropped from 106.2 to 93.4 days and from 99.9 to 87.3 days in primiparous and multiparous cows respectively. The average annual rate of cows shown on heat by pedometry and not inseminated by the A.I. technicians in recent years was 13% and remained steady. The mean herd rate of normal length heat cycles (18-24 days) in multiparous cows in recent years has been fairly steady; 57.4 to 58.4% of all cycles detected in 2004 and 2008 respectively. Herd rate of double cycles is also used to estimate the sensitivity of pedometry systems. Average rate of double cycles (37-60 days) per herd per annum in multiparous cows has dropped steadily from 22.6 to 20.1% between 2004 and 2008 respectively. Mean herd rate of short cycles in multiparous cows in 2008 was 7.4% Pregnancy checks are performed by the herds' veterinarians by transrectal palpation from 40 days post A.I. onward. In 2008 the average herd rate of negative pregnancy checks in cows was 27.5% (9.5-53.4%). The wide range indicates a large variability of pedometry system in tracking non-conceived cycling cows. Beside activity and heat detection pedometry systems record other individual cow parameters. A controlled field trial comparing between pedometry, observation and Ovsynch did not yield significant differences in reproductive measures.