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Tail paint, or heat mount detectors help to identify cows that have been standing.

Use of one or more of these tools will help you get the timing right for AI.

Tail Paint

• cans, bottles or spray
(1 litre = 80-100 cows)

• use different colours for

  • checking heats before mating starts
  • healthy cow coming on heat regularly
  • mated

Example Plan:
• use RED 6 weeks before the planned start of mating

• use BLUE when observed to have cycled

• use GREEN after AI

How to apply

1. Remove loose hair

2. Clean and dry area

3. Paint 15cm long strip from the bump on the spine down over the tail head

How to read

• paint gone - all or some

• rubbed or raw high points on the backbone

If you have an internet connection watch this YouTube video about using tail paint

Heat Mount Detectors

Plastic capsule containing colour that breaks when cow is constantly ridden

How to apply

• remove loose hair

• clean and dry area

• optional: apply supplied glue to cows back

• peel backing from detector and stick to cows back on high point

How to read

Check for colour.

If you have an internet connection watch this YouTube video about using heat mount detectors

Electronic

Electronic movement sensors record head movement and chewing and store the information against each cow. When daily records change markedly - when movement increases and chewing decreases - the cow is likely to be on heat.

These sensors are part of automated dairy shed systems and not yet common in New Zealand. They should be used in conjunction with the other tools and with good observation techniques.