Estrus detection and estrus detection aids.

There is no substitute for good management. Each animal should be identified carefully. The herds man should know all signs of estrus or impending estrus. In addition, for visual detection of estrus to be highly effective, sufficient time must be taken at least twice a day to catch animals with a short estrus period. Presently there are two visual aids to estrus detection which provide potential 24-h surveillance. One aid is a pressure sensitive device mounted on the back of each cow which can be triggered when the cow stands for mounting. The second one is a marking device worn by sexually aggressive animals which will stripe with colored ink the back of estrous animals as the marker animal mounts and dismounts. Both devices are effective when used properly. Other tests of changes in cervical mucus, vaginal characteristics, temperature, blood flow, and hormone changes in blood and milk are either not suffciently reliable or else simple enough yet to be practical aids for routine detection of estrus in dairy cattle. Milk progesterone can assist in characterizing problem cows.