Not during feeding or milking times. The average heat period lasts for only eight hours, so twice a day observation periods will miss many cycling cows. Treating infected or sore feet as soon as possible is important. Allowing cows time off of concrete is important. Cows in heat and cows that will be in heat in the next 48 hours commonly congregate together.
Cows usually alter their normal routine of behavior when approaching heat.
A 50 percent conception rate means half the cows bred will become pregnant and half will return to heat in 18 to 24 days. Breeding wheels, calendars, and heat expectancy charts are inexpensive and effective tools. Establish a hormone program to induce estrus in cows and heifers. The equal distribution of the onset of estrus during the day combined with the average estrus duration of seven hours dictate that heat detection observations should occur three to four times daily, approximately six to eight hours apart. Providing an environment that encourages cows to express heat and conducting frequent heat detection are essential to improve reproductive efficiency.