dc.rights.license | CC-BY-NC-ND | |
dc.contributor.advisor | Jonker, F.H. | |
dc.contributor.author | Strik, S. | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2014-01-30T18:05:22Z | |
dc.date.available | 2014-01-30T18:05:22Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2013 | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/15962 | |
dc.description.abstract | The objective of this study is to detect possible differences between the breeder and the heat detection system Heatime® related to progesterone concentrations on a large dairy in central California. In total 132 cows have been sampled in a period of seven working days. Three groups were used: group 1 consisted of cows that were positively assigned as in heat by the breeder as well as by Heatime®. Group 2 consisted of cows only assigned as in heat by Heatime®. Group 3 consisted of cows only assigned as in heat by the breeder. The dairy also used OvSynch as a synchronization program on several cows. This research found a significant difference between the positive predictive value (PPV) of Heatime® and the breeder (p <0,001). When excluding the synchronized cows, this significance disappeared (p = 0,103). When checking the synchronized cows only, there was a significant difference between the PPV of Heatime® and the breeder (p <0,001). It is an added value that Heatime® is able to detect cows that are actually in estrus, where the breeder has difficulties to recognize them. Heatime® gave several false positives, but the system is said to be ‘better safe than sorry’. Therefore the opinion of the breeder remains important. Because of specific settings of the Heatime® system on this dairy it was difficult to analyze it for scientific purposes. In the field it works very well.
As a final note there can be said that Heatime® is a good additional measuring device for heat detection, but it still is a matter of human judgment and it needs to be used with good care by a well-trained breeder. | |
dc.description.sponsorship | Utrecht University | |
dc.language.iso | en | |
dc.title | An evaluation of the Heatime® system on a dairy farm in California | |
dc.type.content | Master Thesis | |
dc.rights.accessrights | Open Access | |
dc.subject.keywords | Heatime®, heat detection, dairy, differences between breeder and Heatim®, California | |
dc.subject.courseuu | Gezondheidszorg landbouwhuisdieren en vet. volksgezondheid | |