Pinhas Gur, SAE Afikim, Israel                                                                                                    Download file

Each farmer's goal is to have a cost effective program to grow out and inseminate his quality females to the bulls of his choice.
To achieve maximum genetic gains in a dairy herd, artificial insemination with top proven sires must be used on all cows and replacement heifers. The benefits of AI are clear, however AI is not without its problems, the primary one being heat detection.

Large scale independent research shows the clear advantages of the afimilk™ system. Experiments were conducted to assess the contribution of a computer system in the milking parlor to the detection of mastitis and estrous (udder infection and the time to inseminate the cow). It was found that the computer system contributed markedly to the cows' productivity and profitability.
Only the heat detection part of the experiments is described in detail.

Introduction
This paper will describe the process of automatic heat detection and assess the benefits by comparing the performance of farms with computerized information systems to those without.
The economic implications of these modern developments are seldom quantified.
We report a direct measurement of the economic contribution of a computerized information system in dairy farms (the system that was installed was the afimilk system). An economic estimate of the contribution of the computerized information system is presented.
 
Estrous, background
Estrous is the period of heat. Accurate detection and consequent insemination increase the probability of timely and successful conception. Most cows in Estrous can be detected by visible symptoms: unrest, mounting and vaginal discharge. These cows are examined, inseminated if found to be in heat. Success was verified after 28 days by testing for progesterone in the milk.
Others may not display visible signs of heat - this is an anestrous condition. In these cases the cows are inspected by the veterinarian to determine estrous or the cause of its absence.
Unidentified estrous reduces the probability of timely insemination, increases the number of unintended and unproductive open days (days between calving) and may result in culling of high yielding cows.
Computer-supported activity-measurements are used for identification of estrous. Cows within the afimilk system wear foot tags with pedometers that identify them in the milking stall. The pedometers count steps per time unit, the numbers are transmitted to the information system and the hourly averages recorded. Deviations from each cow's norm are marked as unrest, suspected estrous and possible ill health. The afimilk system installed in kibbutz Yavneh at the time of the study could indicate estrous in cows that had calved at least once, modern systems such as those described by Maatje et al. (1997) can detect estrous in calves before first calving as well (AfiAct Heifer System).

Problems with visual heat detection
A distinct advantage of afimilk automatic Heat Detection is the savings in labor costs usually involved in visual heat detection.
The Cornell University table and Dransfield chart show the problematic character of visual heat detection whereas the system performs monitoring 24 hours a day.

The afimilk™ System
afimilk is the trade name of the dairy parlor information system used in this study. It is produced and assembled in Israel. Such systems include a PC (AfiFarm™ Herd Management software) and electronic sensors which identify cows, monitor their production variables, keep records and provide management with information to assist in making feeding, health and reproduction decisions. afimilk was first introduced experimentally in 1986 and by now, more than 1.5 million afimilk pedometers are in use world wide.
afimilk performs the following functions:
1. identifies cows in the milking stalls;
2. monitors the cow's milk flow and yield;
3. measures electrical conductivity of milk and indicates suspected mastitis;
4. records unrest and indicates estrous.
The system features, three times daily, irregularities, deviations and detection alerts. Data summaries are constantly on call as are specific reports – such as individual cow's health and yield history. Parameters for significance levels of tests of deviations can be fine-tuned by season, group or cows' conditions.

Comparison between visual detection, neck transponder and Afi Pedometer

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