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Cows get restless and their behaviour in the paddock and in the shed changes when they are on heat. They eat less and move more.

Observation of these changes is one of your best tools for determining the right time to put her up for AI.

Watch them

• between milkings - about 2 hours after milking is over

• before and after milkings in the paddock

• in the race on the way to the shed

Use the chart, photos and videos to assist you. It is important to differentiate between cows coming onto heat and those that are standing (and ready to be mated)

Coming into heat

any or some of these...

Sniffing

always sniffing and licking at butts

Following

walking around in lines following each other

Bunting

"play" fighting

Standing head to tail

Cows in pairs or groups, standing close head to tail are other signs.

  • walking to shed - different to usual, perhaps first or last
  • into shed for milking

Milking

  • unsettled

Riding

  • Cows ride each other but riding does not always mean she is ready for AI.
  • Cows that are moving away when ridden are likely coming into heat, or just over it
If you have an internet connection watch this YouTube video about cows coming into heat

Standing Heat

These are the ones to be mated.

  • Standing to be ridden by other cows (the cow on heat is the one underneath being ridden)
  • Rubbed tail paint or burst heat mount detector
  • Clear mucus discharge from vulva

You need to look for the other signs as well - the behaviour signs as well as the rubbed paint, and standing to be ridden.

If you have an internet connection watch this YouTube video about cows standing heat and ready to be mated

When to put up cows for AI

  • Cows first seen in standing heat during the day or at the evening milking should be inseminated the following morning
  • Cows first seen in standing heat at the morning milking should be inseminated that day
  • Any cows still on standing heat the day after AI should be inseminated again