AVA Conference Adelaide 2016

The reproductive performance of dairy herds is affected by multiple factors. While the importance of heat detection efficiency is well recognised for its direct effect on submission rate and pregnancy rate; heat detection accuracy also has the potential to affect a farm’s reproductive performance. Poor heat detection accuracy can affect herd conception rates and embryonic loss. This presentation will look at the ways in which dairy farmers can strategically use cow-side milk progesterone assays to improve heat detection accuracy. The testing of milk progesterone has a potential role in cows eligible for breeding as well as in cows that show oestrous behaviour despite being previously diagnosed pregnant. The benefits and limitations of the use of cow-side milk progesterone assays by farmers will also be discussed