The average US dairy producer only catches about 50 percent of heats in their herd. By using DETAIL^TM tailpaint and the DETAIL^TM Management System, it is possible to achieve 85 to 90 percent heat detection efficiency or better.

DETAIL^TM is a specially formulated, water-based, non-toxic paint developed and tested in New Zealand to identify animals in heat. Once applied to an animal, DETAIL^TM will form a scab on the hair. This scab will break off when the animal is ridden. If an animal is not ridden, the paint will last for weeks with minimal touch-up every 7 to 10 days. One 500 ml bottle will paint 75 to 100 cows making DETAIL^TM a very affordable heat detection aid.  DETAIL^TM is available in four colors - Red, Yellow, Blue and Green

Application Procedures

• Remove any loose hair and dirt from the tailhead
• Shake bottle well before removing cap
• Turn bottle upside down and squeeze very lightly
• Apply a 2"x6" strip of paint to the tailhead going against the hair
• Rinse out bottle brush with water before replacing the cap to insure maximum paint flow for next use
• Touch-up as needed

DETAIL^TM Management System

• Red - fresh cows immediately after calving
• Green - cows to be bred
• Blue - cows bred but not confirmed pregnant
• Yellow - cows confirmed pregnant

Not Only a Heat Detection Aid

DETAIL^TM can be used as more than just a heat detection aid. Mark animals with treated quarters, indicate animals for shots, or use different colors for sorting cows into milking groups. The possibilities are endless. When the mark is no longer needed, just use a curry comb to remove.

For more information or to order, contact your Eastern Wisconsin DHIC Representative.

The ESTROTECT^TM heat detection system is an excellent aid to any operation's program for detecting cows in standing heat. Apply the self adhesive ESTROTECT^TM heat detection patch to cows prior to standing heat or when cows are given synchronization injections. No glue is needed if applied correctly.

Each patch has a silver scratch-off surface. After the animal is mounted, the bright signal layer underneath is revealed for easy observation and reading. Additional mountings result in increasing color exposure. The patches come in four colors - orange, green, pink and blue.

Application Procedures

• Warm ESTROTECT^TM to human-body temperature before application. (As long as the product is kept warm, it can be applied in all seasons.)
• Remove dirt, sand, dust, shedding and loose hair (Do not shave hair) from the tailhead with a leather glove or painters tack cloth. (Do not use a curry comb)
• Wipe away any excess moisture with a towel.
• Press ESTROTECT^TM onto the hair across the backbone (side-to-side) just forward of half the length between the hooks and pins. Vigorously rub ESTROTECT^TM onto the hair with your bare fingers. Rubbing will not damage the silver surface.

Additional information can be found at http://www.estrotect.com.

For more information or to order, contact your Eastern Wisconsin DHIC Representative. Here

When the temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods of time, a calf will burn extra energy to keep warm. This is the same energy the calf should be using for growth. Wind and snow have a greater effect on when a calf will start to burn energy to keep warm. A North Dakota State University study found calves wearing calf coats gained 1.4 pounds daily from birth to four weeks, compared to the 1.2 pounds gained from calves without coats. 

Protect your genetic investments with CRI Calf Coats. These coats feature a waterproof outer shell and a quilted lining. The front Velcro closure and buckle leg straps make for easy on and off. All coats are Amish made and are machine washable. It is recommended to line dry coats to help extend the life. CRI Calf Coats are available in three sizes - small, large and x-large. They are ideal to use with calf hutches.

For more information or to order, contact your Eastern Wisconsin DHIC representative.

Dairy Herdsman Continuing Educational Video Series

Kamar^® Heatmount^® Detectors are a pressure sensitive device with a built-in timing mechanism designed to be activated by standing heat behavior. Once glued onto the tailhead, the pressure from a mounting animal will turn the detector from white to red. It takes approximately three seconds of pressure to activate the timing mechanism. This feature helps distinguish between true standing heat and false mounting activity.

The University of Maryland, in a Journal of Dairy Science report, indicated efficiency of the Kamar^® Heatmount^® Detector was as high as 84 percent when combined with visual observation. Use of visual observation alone was 68 percent in the same study.

Kamar^® Heatmount^® Detectors have been available to producers for over 30 years.

Application Procedures

• Clean the tailhead with a curry comb to remove dirt and loose hair.
• Use the provided gauge to locate proper position to apply the detector on the tailhead.
• Apply adhesive to the animal's back at the indicated spot.
• Using the enclosed spreader, work the adhesive into the hair towards the cow's tail.
• Apply a lesser amount of adhesive to the back of the detector.
• Place the detector on the prepared area of the cow making sure the arrow on the detector is pointing forward (towards the cow's head).
• Press firmly down on the canvas portion of the detector. Do not press on the plastic bubble.

Additional information can be found at http://www.kamarinc.com.

For more information or to order, contact your Eastern Wisconsin DHIC Representative.

One of the primary goals of a successful breeding program is excellent heat detection. To make that goal a reality, use the EAZI-BREED^TM CIDR^® to breed more cattle in less time. The fact is, by narrowing the window of estrus, EAZI-BREED^TM CIDR^®s will improve the timing and efficiency of your current breeding program.

The EAZI-BREED^TM CIDR^® is a t-shaped device impregnated with progesterone. Once placed into the animal's vagina, the CIDR will continuously release progesterone. Upon removal of the insert seven days later, the drop in progesterone will trigger estrus and ovulation. Benefits of using this controlled breeding program include:

• Higher pregnancy rates
• Easier and more accurate heat detection
• Improved value from semen and greater genetic gain, due to greater potential for successful artificial insemination (A.I.)
• More focused heat detection and easier A.I. breeding since groups of cattle come into heat and can be bred at approximately the same time
• Heifers freshening at a younger age
• Improved efficiencies in labor management
• A more profitable herd

Additional information can be found at www.cidr.com.

For more information or to order, contact your AgSource Representative.

CRI Milking Gloves are latex free, powdered and made of 100 percent nitrile. These quality gloves provide three times the puncture resistance of comparable latex or vinyl gloves. CRI Milking Gloves offer superior comfort and strength, plus they hold up better against rips and tears than other synthetic gloves. They are also textured to provide excellent non-slip wet or dry gripping power.

CRI Milking Gloves are available in five sizes - small, medium, large, x-large and xx-large. Each box contains 100 gloves. They are perfect for milking or for other applications. Use them during maintenance, clean up, industrial work, automotive work, painting, laboratory analysis or janitorial use.

For more information or to order, contact your East Wisconsin DHIC Representative.

Calves can become dehydrated easily when shipped, stressed or challenged with bacterial enteritis. Years ago, calves were typically taken off milk or milk replacer when they had diarrhea and placed on multiple doses of electrolytes. This approach reduced fecal output, which was deemed successful. Additionally, it was recognized that lactose in the milk or milk replacer could worsen diarrhea because the lactose osmotically pulled water from the body tissue into the intestinal tract to be excreted. Critical Care^TM was developed as a lactose-free product as an answer to this problem. It is also fat-free because fat can reduce nutrient absorption in the intestines.

Critical Care^TM is a research proven product for treating dehydrated, scouring calves and transported calves. This lactose-free, fat-free product is an excellent source for milk protein and electrolytes. It is also nonmedicated.

Research with Scouring Calves

A group of calves that scoured with watery diarrhea from bacterial enteritis during the first 7 days were given either 3 doses of electrolytes in addition to their milk replacer or 3 doses of Critical Care^TM in place of milk replacer along with antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian.

Calves treated with Critical Care^TM required fewer antibiotic treatments than calves treated with electrolytes.  Calves treated with Critical Care^TM required no repeat does with Critical Care^TM, where half the calves treated with electrolytes still had watery scours a second day and required more doses of electrolytes.  Fourteen weight gains were greater for calves fed Critical Care^TM versus calves fed the electrolytes (+0.196 versus -0.083 lb per day).

Feeding Recommendations

For Scouring Calves: Dose 0.5 lb diluted in 2 quarts of water 3 times per day to scouring calves in place of milk or milk replacer for at least one day and until scouring stops

For Transported Calves: Dose 0.5 lb diluted in 2 quarts water on time, on arrival in place of milk or milk replacer.

For more information or to order, contact your East Wisconsin DHIC representative.

Allflex^® Tamperproof^TM Eartags

Allflex® TamperproofTM EartagsAllflex® RFID TagsAllflex® Eartag Combos

Allflex® Tamperproof^TM Eartags offer the foremost security in livestock identification. These tags feature quality Allflex® construction, retention and durability plus are made from specially formulated polyurethane that combines flexibility with strength. Every female tag features the exclusive Rotaclip^TM inside. The self-piercing tip of an Allflex® male tag locks tight into the Rotaclip^TM. On entry into the female tag, the male tip forces the exclusive Rotaclip^TM to spring open inside. The Rotaclip^TM snaps back locking the tag solidly into place, once the tip has fully entered the tag. The hard ridge of the Rotaclip^TM and the female's molded ridge doubly secure the tag. The Rotaclip^TM allows the female tag to turn on male stem to help prevent snagging.

Allflex® RFID Tags

CRI is pleased to be able to offer the Official Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags for the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Purchase just an RFID button alone or order a matching set which includes an RFID tag plus matching large visual tags. Each official tag features a unique 15 digit number beginning with 840 plus a large management number that can be customized or left blank. Five different RFID options are available. RFID buttons available only in white. Matching visual tags available in seven different colors - white, yellow, orange, red, pink, green or blue. Note: Premise Identification Number (PIN) is required to purchase any RFID option. To learn more about NAIS or to find our where to register for a PIN in your state, log onto www.usda.gov/nais

Allflex® Eartag Combos

CRI also continues to offer twelve different visual tag combos. Every Allflex® Tamperproof^TM Eartag visual combo features a large management number that can be customized it fit any farm or ranch's management system. This number incorporates the patented Allflex® Laser Ink Marking that is guaranteed permanent. Underneath the easy to read dark ink overlay, a matching laser number is etched into the surface of each tag to prevent fading. Each tag also includes an American ID number for unique identification.

Note: A PIN number is not required to purchase visual tag combos only.

Contact your Eastern Wisconsin DHIC Representative for more information.

Contact your Eastern Wisconsin DHIC Representative for more information.

Contact your Eastern Wisconsin DHIC Representative for more information.