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Agriculture for Secondary Schools

record keeping, and removing animals which do not perform well (culling). Each
of these steps helps to plan and manage dairy enterprises.

Heat detection and flushing
Cows and heifers should only be bred when they are on heat and according to
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breeding plans. Signs of heat include a swollen and reddish vulva, clear mucus
discharge, loud bellowing, restlessness, and standing still to be mounted.
Sometimes, the cow’s appetite drops and milk production decreases for a short
time. These signs help the farmer to know when to mate the animals on heat or
call the inseminator for artificial insemination.

Flushing is a feeding practice done two to three weeks before mating. It involves
giving extra concentrates to cows and heifers. This improves their body condition,
makes heat signs clearer, and increases the chance of a successful conception.
Flushing also helps cows that are weak or have just calved to recover and become
ready for mating.
Methods of mating
There are two main mating methods in dairy cattle, namely, natural mating and
artificial insemination (AI). Natural mating is when a bull mates directly with the
cow or heifer on heat (refer to Figure 9.4). This is common in many rural farms.
It is simple, but there is a risk of spreading diseases and causing injuries. One bull
can serve up to 30 cows. Bulls used for natural mating must be well-fed, healthy,
and handled safely.

Figure 9.4: Natural mating in cattle
Artificial insemination (AI) is when semen from a selected bull is placed inside
the cow’s uterus using special tools. It must be done by a trained person about 12

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