Improve breeding for better profits
You can improve productivity when you reduce days open, services per conception, and breeding costs. Shortening the breeding cycle means cows returning faster to peak lactation. The larger your herd, the more you can save. By monitoring a combination of cow data, including calendar, body weight and activity, ALPRO can identify when each cow will come into heat with considerable accuracy, for improved insemination success. And by introducing new calves to the database as soon as they are born, you can start planning for the next breeding cycle.
Monitor positive energy balance
When you know the weight and weight changes of each individual cow and the herd as a whole, you can use this information along with other data to create a more complete picture of your animals. Monitoring body weight daily, after the postparturition voluntary waiting period, enables you to identify the positive weight change that indicates a cow has probably regained the positive energy balance needed for insemination.
Activity data a good indicator
DeLaval activity meter system monitors every cow’s activity and reproductive status. The light weight and compact collar-mounted activity meter collects and transmits activity data from each cow. Every hour this data is logged into the ALPRO™ herd management system. Each transmission covers a rolling 24-hour period so no data is lost. Activity data is presented on screen in an easy-to-read format. It flags heat related activity for immediate action; and reduced activity triggers a ‘low activity’ health alert.
Identifies silent and virgin heats
The system helps to identify silent heat, and works for virgin heifers too, as it monitors every animal with an activity meter anywhere in the barn, even those not entering the parlour. Activity data for each cow can be stored for up to 100 days, so you can monitor several heat cycles. ALPRO has a smart data analysis filter to sort out ‘attention’ cows. ALPRO sends high activity alarms to the milking point controller and creates lists and graphs to show when each cow’s optimal breeding time will occur, for breeding programme planning.
Efficient insemination management
As soon as ALPRO identifies a cow coming into heat, it immediately flags her to be sorted for insemination. This alert for sorting will be seen onscreen in ALPRO™ for Windows®, and also at the milking point controller when the cow next enters the parlour for milking. And because you can take the ALPRO progammed palm-held computer with you anywhere on the farm, you can instantly and accurately record insemination times.
Monitor your breeding performance
ALPRO can analyse a range of data to help you monitor your breeding performance, including calving interval, pregnancy rates, and heat detection rates. This analysis gives you the information you need to review and optimize your breeding programme to deliver maximum financial efficiency.
