Pedometry – an aid in estrus detection?

The object of the studies was to examine the efficiency of pedometry in estrus detection. Therefore several series of tests with specific aims were made at the Research Institute of Animal Production in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Germany) from 1995 to 2002. It could be established that the activity rate is a valuable aid in estrus detection. In dependence on the threshold value and on the system hit rates between 73% and 95% are possible. In favour of such high hit rates error rates between 54% and 80% should be accepted. Important is a diurnal comparison of all cows at the alarm list of activity with reproductive cycle, pregnancy diagnosis and special activities in the barn. Highest pregnancy rates were observed for cows having been inseminated 6 to 8 hours after appearance on alarm list. With the help of pedometry diseases and puerperal disorders could be diagnosed earlier. Instead of the benefits as has been proved the results indicated that using pedometer data alone does not produce optimal results. But it is an efficient aid in heat detection and it can improve reproductive results.

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