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AI or AB

Artificial insemination / artificial breeding. Semen from a high quality bull is artificially placed inside the cow by a trained technician. If she conceives the heifer calf will have the high milk producing genetics of both its parents.

Cycling

The regular period(every 18-24 days) when a cow comes on heat.

Heat mount detector

Plastic capsule with sticky backing containing coloured liquid, applied to cows back. It bursts to show the colour when the cow has been constantly ridden by another cow or bull when on heat.

Insemination

Introducing or injecting semen into the reproductive tract of the cow

MS

Milk solids. The protein and the milk fat component of milk. In NZ farmers are paid per kilogram of milksolids sent to the dairy factory less a cost per litre.

Ovulation

The release of the egg (ovum) from the ovary into the fallopian tubes - necessary before conception can occur.

PSM

Planned start of mating

Riding

Cows coming into heat, and on heat, piggy back on each other, as a bull does when mating with a cow.

Silent Heat

When a cow ovulates without visible signs of being on heat.

Standing Heat

When a cow stands to be ridden by other cows or by a bull. Ovulation happens about 14 hours after the end of standing heat.

Tail Paint

Special animal safe paint applied to backbone and top of tail to aid heat detection

Vulva

External lips surrounding the vagina that seals the reproductive tract. When a cow is on heat the vulva becomes moist and expands.