Validation of a new method of visual oestrus detection on the farm

Since visual observation is the most commonly used way of detecting oestrus and is supposed to be as effective as detection with technical devices, we evaluated a recently developed oestrus detection scoring system in daily d airy practice. In this scoring system nine signs of oestrus are scored with points, ranging 3 to 100, Twenty-one dairy farmers used the scoring system during a period of 3 weeks, All cows that were more than 30 days post part um and not confirmed pregnant were monitored, using the scoring system, by the herd owners. Oestrus was confirmed by measuring progesterone concentrat ions in milk, With the scoring system a detection rate of 47% was achieved. This was lower than expected, because in an earlier control period, the de tection rate was 64%, We concluded that this new method might be too compli cated to introduce to normal herd management, because in daily practice it is too demanding to match cows twice a day for 30 minutes, especially if th e cows show only vague and infrequent symptoms of oestrus, It also appeared to be too complicated to watch the herd at the most appropriate time, Howe ver, if the scoring system is included in the daily routine, meaning that f armers are trained to watch for other symptoms than standing heat only and are able to recognize their different values, it can be a valuable aid to o estrus detection.