Denbighshire: Heat detection for better fertility

Practical advice to help improve heat detection, increase pregnancy rates and build a fertility strategy tailored to your herd.

Getting cows in calf efficiently is one of the biggest drivers of a profitable dairy business. While there are more heat detection options available than ever before, choosing the right approach for your herd, labour availability and business objectives is key to achieving consistent fertility performance.

Join AHDB and Dave Gilbert from Dairy Insight for this practical, interactive workshop where we'll explore the principles of effective heat detection and how to develop a strategy that works on your farm.

We'll look at how cows express heat, the factors that influence heat behaviour, the strengths of different heat detection methods, and how to monitor and review performance to maximise pregnancy rates.

During the workshop we'll cover:

• Understanding the targets – why effective heat detection is fundamental to achieving strong pregnancy rates
• Recognising heat expression – how cows display oestrus and the factors that can influence behaviour
• Choosing the right tools – comparing visual observation, heat detection aids and activity monitoring technology
• Building your heat detection strategy – selecting an approach that fits your herd, facilities, labour and business goals
• Measuring success – monitoring key fertility indicators and adapting your strategy to maintain performance

This session is aimed at dairy farmers and herd managers looking to improve herd fertility and profitability. 

Registration is essential and lunch will be provided.

Dave Gilbert bio

Dave Gilbert BVetMed MRCVS is a dairy veterinary consultant with over 20 years' experience working with UK dairy herds. After qualifying from the Royal Veterinary College in 2005, he has specialised in dairy herd health and fertility, combining practical farm consultancy with teaching at Harper Adams University.

Dave is a director of Dairy Insight and Horizon Dairy Vets, and works with farmers across the UK to improve herd fertility, health and profitability through evidence-based, practical management.

He is a regular speaker at industry events and has contributed to a number of AHDB knowledge exchange projects on dairy fertility.