Increasing fertility with optimal heat detection

Serving the right cow at the right time is crucial for high reproduction rates. Precise heat detection puts farmers one step ahead in fertility management, smaXtec explains.

High conception rates and overall fertility are critical to the economic success of dairy farms and to improving overall herd health and productivity. However, visual oestrus detection requires many factors to be considered and is very time-consuming.

With its unique bolus technology, smaXtec says it o ers much more than a traditional heat detection system. Thanks to the unique position of the smaXtec bolus and the highly accurate measurement of inner body temperature, drinking behaviour, rumination and activity, the system provides “unrivalled data” from inside the cow. This allows the best possible insights into herd’s health and reproduction, reducing the need for intensive visual observation by the farmer, the company explains.

With smaXtec sending heat detection alerts via phone or PC, farmers can be con dent that the cows can be served at the right time. Farmers can signi cantly increase insemination success while reducing hormone use, labour and thus costs due to missed heats. Not only does smaXtec detect cows in heat, but it also indicates the optimal insemination time window. This results in a higher conception rate, better calving index and, ultimately, improved pro tability, smaXtec continues.

Using smaXtec, farmers have access to insights on an individual animal and herd level information around the clock. Customers report that they have achieved higher fertility rates and shorter calving intervals as a result of the system. One of them is Peter Wood from Derbyshire: “We nd that the heat detection from smaXtec is second to none. Our conception rates have lifted because of this reason. The calving index has improved by 18 days since we started using smaXtec. So, putting it into real terms, money: smaXtec has paid for itself already, just on the calving index.”

Early detection of diseases and improving overall herd health is equally as important and a key factor of reproductive success on any dairy farm. By measuring cow health data continuously and precisely, smaXtec o ers an outstanding system for early disease detection, allowing for the earliest possible intervention when necessary. This way, smaXtec enables farmers to manage their herds in a proactive rather than reactive way, ensuring consistently high milk yields and pro tability. FG