AREA: Animal Science UNIT: Reproduction JOB: Detecting Heat in Livestock

QUESTIONS??
1. What is heat and standing heat? 2. What are the secondary signs of heat?

3. What are the signs of standing heat?

4. What are some common heat

detection aids? 5. When should you inseminate?

Introduction
Get into groups of three

Discuss what this patch might be for

Put a little pressure on the patch and watch

what happens How does it work Place on the tail head of a cow and it will turn red when enough pressure is placed on the patch. When a cow has been ridden several times, it means that the cow is in heat

Heat and Standing heat

Heat Signals the time of ovulation and determines proper timing of insemination. Standing Heat Best indication of estrus. It is when the female stands still when mounted by a male or another female. Do not breed a female you think is in estrus until you actually see her ridden while she stands completely still. If she is the one riding it is not an indication of standing heat.

Secondary signs of heat

Cattle Cows are checked for estrus twice daily, in the morning and evening. Secondary signs include restlessness, attempting to mount other cows, and a clear, mucous discharge from the vagina. Do not breed a cow until you actually see standing heat, though. Secondary signs may just be leading up to estrus. Swine Gilts and sows secondary signs of heat include a red, swollen vulva, odd sounds and odd odors.

Signs of Standing Heat

Cattle Standing heat is exactly what it sounds like it is in cattle. The cow stands to be ridden by another cow in the herd, or if naturally bred, the cow stands to be ridden by a bull. Swine Gilts and sows in standing heat assume a rigid stance with ears erect when hands are placed firmly on their backs.

Newton Moment
Get into several small groups.

Write at least three why questions

about the material we just went over. Each group will ask the class their questions. Each question your group gets right will be a point The group with the most points wins!

Common Heat Detection Aids for Cattle

Chin Ball Marker This device is worn beneath the detector animals chin, consists of a dye reservoir with a steel ball valve attached with a strong leather halter. Leaves a giant mark on the ridden cows back and rump. Androgenized cows Females used to detect heat that have been injected with testosterone to stimulate them into exhibiting male-like behavior. Kamar This plastic device is glued to the tailhead of cows eligible for breeding. Prolonged pressure from the mounting animal turns the white detector red.

Detection Aids
Get on the internet Find two different heat

detection aids Print out a picture and description Share with the class

Inseminating livestock after standing heat

Get with a partner Discuss when you think cattle and

swine should be inseminated How do you know Why at that time

Inseminating livestock after standing heat

Cattle 12 hours after standing heat. So a cow found in standing heat in the morning should be inseminated in the evening of the same day. Sows Insemination is recommended at the end of the first day and at the beginning of the second day of estrus.

Paragraph
Get with a partner and answer the

following questions in one paragraph What is heat? How is it detected? What aids are there? When should livestock be inseminate?

Ticket out the door (TOD)

Complete the Heat Detection

worksheet