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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 77 No. 9 2754-2761
© 1994 by American Dairy Science Association ®
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Measuring Efficiency and Accuracy of Detection of Estrus

George Heersche Jr. 1 and Raymond L. Nebel 2

1 Department of Animal Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40546-0215
2 Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061-0315

The ability of management to detect estrus efficiently and accurately in cows and heifers profoundly influences reproductive performance and profitability of dairy herds. Routine estimates of efficiency and accuracy are important to monitor reproduction in a herd and to evaluate management in problem breeding herds. Detection efficiency is usually expressed as the percentage of possible estruses that were observed over a given time period. Eight methods are presented that approximate efficiency using estrus and insemination dates. Efficiency can be estimated from herd summary information using the equation recommended by the Dairy Reproduction Core Parameter Committee or using equations that calculate the breeding interval. Milk progesterone concentrations measured by on-farm tests can be used to approximate efficiency. Seven of the nine Dairy Record Processing Centers calculate an efficiency estimate. Accuracy of detection of estrus is the percentage of estruses observed that are true estruses. Inaccurate detection of estrus results in breeding of cows not in estrus, thus lowering conception rate. Detection accuracy should be evaluated for herds experiencing low conception rates. Comparison of interestrual intervals, results of uterine and ovarian palpation, and progesterone concentrations of cows perceived to be in estrus can be used to estimate the accuracy of detection of estrus.

Key Words: reproductive management • estrus detection • estrus detection efficiency • estrus detection accuracy

Submitted on June 16, 1993
Accepted on December 14, 1993




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J. L. Stevenson, J. A. Rodrigues, F. A. Braga, S. Bitente, J. C. Dalton, J. E. P. Santos, and R. C. Chebel
Effect of Breeding Protocols and Reproductive Tract Score on Reproductive Performance of Dairy Heifers and Economic Outcome of Breeding Programs
J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2008; 91(9): 3424 - 3438.
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Copyright © 1994 by the American Dairy Science Association ®.