Pre-mating heat detection has several benefits – and they make up for the amount of tail paint used!
By observing and recording your cows’ heats before the start of mating, you can make more informed decisions that ultimately improve herd reproductive performance, farm profitability, and long-term sustainability.
Here’s how:
1. Identifying non-cycling cows early
One of the key advantages of pre-mating heat detection is the ability to spot cows that are not cycling. Detecting non-cyclers before the planned start of mating allows you to:
Prioritise nutrition or management changes to help stimulate cycling.
Treat cows promptly with veterinary or management interventions.
Reduce the proportion of cows that remain empty at the end of mating.
2. Improving submission rates
A high 3-week submission rate is strongly linked with good in-calf outcomes. Cows that are detected on heat pre-mating can be drafted and managed to ensure they are ready for insemination once mating begins, lifting early submission rates.
By monitoring heats ahead of mating, you can build confidence that your herd is cycling well and prepare to start mating strong.
3. Assessing herd reproductive performance
Pre-mating heat detection acts as a diagnostic tool, giving you an early indication of herd reproductive status.
If large numbers of your cows are not showing heats, it may signal underlying issues such as: poor body condition or nutrition, trace element or metabolic deficiencies, and/or lameness or other health challenges.
Having a chance to address issues before mating begins helps set the herd up for a more successful repro season.
4. Reducing empty rates and lifting profitability
Ultimately, the goal of pre-mating heat detection is to maximise the number of cows getting in-calf as early as possible. Early conceived cows have more days in milk, have a tighter calving spread, and are more likely to re-calve again the following season.
Lower empty rates mean fewer replacements need to be reared or purchased, reducing costs and improving long-term herd efficiency.
Pre-mating heat detection is more than just a management task, it’s a strategic tool for reproduction success.
