HeatWatch II - Estrus Detection System
Products Details:
HeatWatch II is a revolutionary second generation product that is transforming the reproductive results of A.I. breeders. The system utilizes unique radio frequency technology that:
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Catches every cow in heat, recording the date, time and duration of every mount
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Saves time, labor, semen, and money
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Provides the optimum time for insemination
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Makes for fewer services per conception
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Gets more A.I. calves earlier in calving period
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Produces a more uniform set of calves
The new HeatWatch II represents the most accurate ...
The new HeatWatch II represents the most accurate and efficient means of estrus detection available to beef and dairy breeders using artificial insemination. Utilizing state of the art wireless technology, HeatWatch II uses small, digital radio transmitters incorporating a pressure switch that are glued onto the tailheads of your cattle. These transmitters continuously monitor all mounting activity of your cattle and transmit the mounting data (cow I.D., date of mount, time of day of the mount & duration of the mount) to your computer where advanced software algorithms examine the mounting profile of each animal. The software is looking for mounting criteria known to be indicative of true estrus. Information can then be relayed back each cow’s transmitter. In its simplest form HeatWatch II -
- Catches all cows in heat
- Determines the precise onset of each heat
- Tells you exactly the best time each animal
In the USA, dairy farms using HeatWatch II can usually expect a 100% return on their investment within one year, while beef operations will usually see a full return within one to two years.
HeatWatch II Components
Base Station and Access Point
The base station is a sophisticated electronic device that receives and stores mounting activity information from the cow monitors in the form of RF signals. The information is wirelessly transferred to the access point which in turn passes it into the computer and the HeatWatch®II software. The base station also sends signals back to the monitors acknowledging the receipt of mounts and/or giving it certain instructions. The base station is encased in a weather-resistant enclosure and is positioned in a line of sight proximity to the cows. The maximum distance between the base station and the access point is a function of the types of antennas used on both devices. The standard configuration will allow for 1000 ft. The base station can be powered by either 110V outlet or 12V DC power.
Cow Monitor
Monitors, the heart of the HeatWatch®II system are small, transferable battery-powered digital radio frequency units containing a pressure sensor for detecting mounting activity and transmitting this data to the base station. The base station will send a return message to the monitor acknowledging its receipt of the data. If the monitor does not receive this acknowledgment message, it stores that mounting data and re-sends it on a periodic basis until the base station receives it. A monitor can transmit a mounting activity signal well over over a quarter mile in a line-of-sight to the base station. Periodically, a supervisory signal is sent from the monitor as confirmation that the monitor is working properly. Should a monitor be in an active mode and not send a supervisory signal, as in the case of a dead battery, you will be alerted by the software. Each monitor has its own unique numerical identification code. No two monitors have the same ID. Monitor cases are constructed of hardened plastic designed to withstand mounting activity forces.
Repeater
The repeater is a sophisticated transceiver which identifies signals from HeatWatch®II monitors and re-broadcasts those signals at full power. The repeater is used to relay mounting information to the base station on large farms and ranches, or from area with hidden mounting or heat detection locations. This effectively increases the range by several miles in line-of-sight to the base station.
Patches and Glue
A polyester patch has 3 functional components:
- The base material used to affix the patch to the tailhead of the cow with Ruscoe glue;
- The nylon pouch that encloses the monitor.
- The tail strap that can provide retention of the patch and monitor to the cow if the patch comes loose from intensive mounting. The glue is a contact-type cement available in 10.5 oz caulking tubes.
Benefits for Beef Ranchers
HeatWatch II offers multiple benefits for beef operations. HeatWatch® II detects more cows and heifers in estrus than any other detection method in the beef industry, and allows beef operations to successfully AI more animals with fewer services per conception. This means more cows and heifers are artificially bred to genetically superior bulls rather than naturally bred to a genetically inferior 'cleanup bull'.
HeatWatch® II helps beef operations realize these benefits:
- Increase management efficiency Save money in feed costs during breeding season
- Devote man-hours to other high priority tasks
- No more visual heat detection Increased conception rates Reduced labor costs
- Decreased utilization of cleanup bulls
- Improve semen cost management More AI calves on the ground
Benefits for Dairy Farmers
HeatWatch® IIprovides a comprehensive solution to one of the most costly problems in dairy farming -- reproductive inefficiency. The Primary objective of reproductive management for every dairy farmer is to assure cows calve at an optimal interval, resetting lactation to peak levels of efficiency. When using artificial incemination (AI), the challenge of achieving an optimal calving interval depends foremost upon effective detection of estrus.
University dairy studies in the USA conservatively estimate the costs of prolonged calving intervals are from $3.19 to $5.41 per day per cow beyond 100 days open due to:
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lost milk production
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decreased calf crop
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increased veterinary costs
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involuntary culling of non-pregnant cows
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increased need for replacement cows
HeatWatch® II detects more cows and heifers in estrus than any detection method, and this accurate heat detection enables dairy producers to determine the optimal time to AI cows.
HeatWatch® II helps Dairy farmers realize these benefits:
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Decrease days open
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Optimize calving intervals
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Increase pregnancy frequencies
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Improve semen cost management
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Identify problem cows
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Increase milk production
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Decrease veterinary services per conception
Benefits for ET Operations
Two critical steps in Embryo Transfer (ET) operations are catching donors in heat, and then catching recipients in heat. If you can't catch them, or know when they came into heat, serious money can be lost. With HeatWatch® II you can be assured of detecting the precise onset of heat in both your donor and recipient cows.
In fact, by continuously monitoring target cows for mount activity, the HeatWatch® II system improves the efficiency success rates, thus HeatWatch® II quickly provides economic returns.
HeatWatch® II helps ET operations realize these benefits:
- Increased heat detection accuracy for both donors and recipients
- Increased embryo quality
- Identify cows that do not cycle
- Close monitoring of reproductive performance of cows/heifers
- Increased productivity with your clients' cattle, semen and embryos
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