Limited man hours/cow plus poor national fertility addressed with Intercept launch

Intervet is re-launching Intercept, its planned breeding strategy, in a response to demand from farmers and vets.   With recent reports acknowledging the reduced amount of man hours per cow available on many of today’s larger, busy units, oestrus detection rates as low as 40% shouldn’t be a surprise.  

The Intercept regime combines treatments with Receptal and a prostaglandin on specific days to arrive at a nominated day for serving the cow.   As 100% of cows are being served on time, pregnancy rates improve, providing there is no underlying reason why these cows fail to hold to service.  

“Poor heat detection, late service and low conception rates all conspire against the busy farmer and can have serious implications for the successful and profitable running of a herd,” states Robert Ankcorn, large animal vet adviser at Intervet.

“Operated in conjunction with your vet and, provided that an initial investigative visit allows the practitioner to examine which cows are suitable (through discussion and good record-keeping), Intercept is capable of delivering excellent results,” Mr Ankcorn explains.

The regime comprises: 

             Day 0: Receptal (2.5ml)

             Day 7: Prostaglandin (luteolytic dose)

             Day 9 (or 56 hours later): Receptal

             Day 10 (or 72 hours after prostaglandin): fixed time AI

Interestingly, a recent series of in-depth interviews with 60 large animal vets across the country identified poor oestrus observation and conception failure as the two main reasons for poor herd fertility.

Around 75% of the vets questioned were aware of Intercept and just under half of those had used it with clients.   Of those, 85% said it was successful and had assisted their clients’ herd fertility.

“Intercept works particularly well in large herds where the herdsman or farmer don’t have sufficient time to devote to rigorous heat detection.   These herds will also generally have better, possibly computerised, record-keeping systems which are also important,” Mr Ankcorn adds.  

Further information is available from Intervet UK Limited 01908 685685.

Article first published 27/01/06