Reading heat detect patches ?

[Stocker Steve]

We patch our heifers and do one round of AI. Often there are several in heat on the same day so there can be a lot of activity. Last year I bred heifers who showed over 80% color, but many of them came in standing heat a couple days later. So I switched to only breeding after 100% color or seeing them stand. Now after 21 days, I have about a group who had 50 to 90% color previously that have not been bred... I gave them a close up look today and two had a light brown watery discharge. Recommendations?

 

[Jessica06]

We had a bigger group of heifers this year than ever, and opted to do a TAI for the first time rather than watch heat. We should have watched heat. Even if we missed a few or bred some too early I think we would have come out a lot better. All I can say is watch them as often as you can and just go with your gut. We use a teaser bull also, and try to turn everything AI'd out into another trap when they come out of the chute. If their patch isn't 80-100% rubbed right down the middle, we usually opt to wait and maybe repatch unless we actually see them being squirrely.

 

[City Guy]

OK, my ignorance is showing again. How do heat detection patches work? Where are they placed and when is it done?

 

[Jessica06]

It's like a lottery ticket - scratch off. Put it on the tailhead and it scratches off and shows a color when they mount each other.

 

[midTN_Brangusman]

Since it has been 21 days I would just repatch and use the am/pm rule. The ones we don't ai we give a shot of GnRH 10 days after protocol to repeat the process. My results are similar to yours, the ones with only 70 % or less rubbed most didn't stick but very good conception with the ones that were 100%.

I'm sure bse can give you better advice though.

 

[City Guy]

What is TAI? Please.

 

[inyati13]

What is TAI? Please.

Timed Artificial Insemination. Versus natural Insemination. Timed AI is achived by administering a series of hormones to establish a time when the egg is calculated to be fertile.

 

[Stocker Steve]

Repatched and gave lute to the remaining. AIed one and then turned the bull in. Not sure why, but some lines don't show as strong heats...