Farm tests heat detection technology

Sep 13, 2023

A project underway on a Saskatchewan farm is testing technology that determines when a cow is in heat.

SenseHub Cow-Calf is new for the beef sector, although the dairy industry has used the technology for a while.

Dr. Sam Wauer, associate director of cattle veterinary services at Merck Animal Health, said an Allflex Sense Hub ear tag placed in a female at least two weeks before she is due to be bred will collect data 24-7.

The tag establishes a baseline from movement and behaviour data points, and a change in that baseline indicates the optimum breeding window. The producer’s phone will receive an alert and the ear tag will flash when that occurs.

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