PRESS RELEASE
1 September 2014
PinPoint collars top the heat detection charts
with an 88.6% accuracy in identifying oestrus
Research undertaken at Kansas State University and published recently
in the Journal of Dairy Science has shown that PinPoint heat detection
collars were 88.6% accurate in identifying cows in oestrus. This
compares favourably to other systems which detected fertility heats at
70-80% accuracy.
The study, which was commissioned to determine the time of ovulation and to
compare within in-herd conception rates of cows inseminated based on activity
monitors versus timed AI, confirmed that 88.6% of cows flagged as being in
heat by PinPoint collars were correctly identified as being in oestrus.
The study also showed that days to first AI were reduced in cows fitted with
activity monitors. This has a positive influence on the calving interval due to
improved oestrus-detection rate and subsequent AI submission rate, meaning
more cows becoming pregnant earlier. The mean average number of days to
pregnancy was reduced in activity monitored cows by 24 days.
“These experiments prove that activity monitors really are the very best way of
accurately predicting ovulation and optimum timing for AI,” explains Michael
Jones, Cogent Breeding’s Precision Technical Manager.
“The research has proven that the majority of heats occur during the night and
that the delay between the onset of heat and conception time varies significantly
according to the age of the animal and the number of previous pregnancies.
Optimising the timing of insemination is therefore key to improving conception
rates. However, in order to improve insemination timing, it is essential to be
able to detect heat accurately in the first place.
“PinPoint heat detection collars use the most advanced three-dimensional motion
monitoring technology available,” Mr Jones adds. “This increases the accuracy
of heat detection beyond the level achieved by other heat detection systems by
up to 9%, thereby making it possible for PinPoint users to improve conception
rates more effectively. This in turn leads to more productive and profitable
herds.”
Sam Middleton milks 120 cows through two robots on his farm near Hull and
concurs with the studies findings: as the only person on his farm, spotting cows
bulling was proving to be one challenge too far for Sam who was using a
disproportionate amount of PRIDs and prostaglandin injections to improve his
herd’s submission rates.
“I simply wasn’t seeing enough cows in heat and was struggling to maintain
pregnancy rates,” Sam explains. “I installed PinPoint and found that the
majority of cows were coming into heat between 11pm and 3am when I wasn’t
there to witness it.
“The heat detection system is akin to having an extra herdsman working
alongside me. I’m now serving two to three times as many cows and I’ve been
able to tighten my herd’s calving pattern for improved milk production
efficiency.”
-EndsNotes to editors
 The PinPoint system is available from Cogent Breeding Limited and includes the
option of bespoke herd fertility analysis and uses the most advanced threedimensional motion monitoring technology available to increase the accuracy of heat
detection.
 Collars used in the PinPoint system have an extended life span compared to any
other system available, as they have replaceable batteries.
 Cogent is the pioneering business behind sexed semen technology and supply and is
the UK market leader. It is wholly owned by the Grosvenor Estate, and from its
headquarters on the Grosvenor Estate in Cheshire, has established a market-leading
reputation for its world-class UK breeding programme.
 Cogent's distinguished selection of high reliability UK proven bulls offers dairy and
beef farmers an unprecedented combination of production, type and value.
 In 2011, Cogent acquired the business and marketing rights of World Wide Sires UK,
the highly-regarded cattle-breeding business, and Dairy Daughters, the UK’s first
direct supplier of Holstein semen. These businesses remain a key part of the Cogent
business, and Cogent remains the exclusive supplier of WWS US products in the UK.
For more information, please contact Joanna Warchol on 01244 622 044 or via email at
Joanna.warchol@cogentuk.com
The text from this news release can be downloaded directly from the
Agriculture/Livestock section of the ABC (Agribusiness Communications Ltd) Press Centre
at www.abccomms.co.uk