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Ronnie Whittle
Manager
Circle A Angus
Heifer division
We are extremely pleased with our HeatWatch system. I would say it took 90% of the work out of our heat detection. Of the 927 heifers, we bred 844 in 30 days. I would be glad to talk to anyone breeding beef cattle about how well HeatWatch has worked for us here at Circle A.
Mark Blau
Blau Beefmasters
Ever thought of driving your car blindfolded? How about playing golf in the dark? Either scenario is possible, but so much more effective if you could see what you were doing. In fact you would never consider attempting either operation with such a major handicap. The same is true for me concerning artificial insemination. After using HeatWatch, I would never consider artificially inseminating my herd without it.
HeatWatch produces more pregnant cows, increases confidence in your own technical abilities, and reduces frustration. HeatWatch saves time, labor, and reduces costs.
For me: No HeatWatch - No A.I.
Todd Boss
Deiter Bros. Chiangus
Faulkton, SD
Seedstock, including cooperator herds, 2,000 Chiangus
"In 1997, we had over 1,500 transmitters in operation at one time on our ranch. We can't imagine how much extra labor it would have taken to watch all those females 'the old way.' HeatWatch has allowed us to expand our heifer development program to over 1,000 heifers and get our cow herd AIed all with the same crew as it took to AI just the cows and replacement heifers before HeatWatch. HeatWatch not only heat detects more females, but does a more accurate 24-hour job than we could ever think of doing by visual observation. HeatWatch has eliminated the job of visual heat detection in our operation and has allowed us to spend valuable man-hours on other projects instead of watching cows. As 10% of our cows' heat cycles occurred during nighttime hours last year, we feel HeatWatch is more of an asset to us than a luxury.
In addition, HeatWatch has helped us improve our AI conception rates. Prior to HeatWatch, we used various synchronization drugs and achieved a 70% conception rate over two cycles. With HeatWatch, we eliminated the use of all drugs and had an 87% conception rate over the same time period."
Jim McDaniel
Quarterback Ranch
Hillsboro, TX
250 Head, Chiangus
"HeatWatch works well, especially for catching cows that only have a few heats. HeatWatch catches cows in heat in the middle of the night, which we can see by the lists we generate in the morning. The system is very convenient and has saved us a lot in labor costs associated with visual heat detection. Most of all, HeatWatch works great for catching cows in heat that, in the past, we found very difficult to catch."
Ward Eckloff
Eckloff Show Calves
Minden, NE
190, Primarily Angus and Simmental-Angus
"HeatWatch has provided me with one of the most valuable things any rancher would want more of – TIME. During our spring breeding season, we also plant corn. Before HeatWatch, our time was spread pretty thin, and the result was that we missed some heats. Now, with HeatWatch, we no longer need to monitor our herd as closely, which frees up several hours of our time per day.
Also, our conception rates have gone up. HeatWatch allows us to pinpoint the exact time our cows come into heat. Knowing this, we can determine the best time to AI. We also do some ET work on our farm and have a lot of money invested in those cows. With HeatWatch, we are assured we're catching most of our recipient cows in a timely fashion, so we aren't wasting money on expensive semen and other investments associated with ET.
Finally, HeatWatch simply provides me with 'peace of mind.' When we were visually heat detecting and witnessed a mount, we were never quite sure when the onset of standing heat actually occurred. Now, with HeatWatch, we know by the reports we generate when mounts take place, which in turn gives us more confidence in the precision of our breeding. Any rancher using a computer today would be foolish not to take advantage of HeatWatch technology."
David Nichols
National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Board Member
Nichols Farms
Bridgewater, Iowa
800 Angus, 350 Simmental, 100 Salers
"HeatWatch represents the kind of technological step forward for artificial insemination like using fresh semen was to going to frozen. To do heat detection right, it requires a lot of valuable employees' time to do other things while increasing conception rates."
Gail and David Ratliff
Cherry Creek Farm
Westphalia, Kansas
Herd size 100 cows, Limousin
"Our portable HeatWatch system allowed us to save a lot of time and catch a lot more cows in heat, especially at night. Before HeatWatch, there was no way to catch cows at night out in the timber and rough terrain unless we had a flashlight! Most importantly, we were able to AI 90% of our cows in a six-week period. Before HeatWatch, we only bred 50%-60% in that same timeframe."
Steve Yackley, Manager
Express Ranches – Yackley Division
Onida, SD
Herd size 160 in South Dakota, 3000 total operation, Limousin
"Last fall we had 100% heat detection using HeatWatch and never missed one standing heat. Our conception rate was outstanding. Heat detection and time of breeding were the keys. HeatWatch really works!"
"HeatWatch represents the kind of technological step forward for artificial insemination like using fresh semen was to going to frozen. To do heat detection right, it requires a lot of valuable employees' time to do other things while increasing conception rates."
Johnnie J. Johnson
Triple J Farm
Craig, NE
Herd size 160, Commercial cows with emphasis on club calves
"The best thing HeatWatch has done for me is given me free time in the evenings to spend with my family – a rare occurrence during breeding season before we used HeatWatch. Not only did HeatWatch free up my time in the evenings, we also estimated that 225 man hours during the breeding season is now freed up to do other activities. Also, on a more technical note, since HeatWatch catches heats during the evening, we can breed first thing in the morning at the optimal time to conceive. Before using HeatWatch, when a cow came into heat at night, we may have waited until mid-afternoon to AI, and inadvertently missed ovulation."
James Ritz
Arcadia, NE
Herd Size 150, Commercial Cattle
"Use of the HeatWatch system has significantly increased my confidence when it comes to catching my cows in heat. I know with a very high certainty that the data HeatWatch provides me with is extremely accurate. Before HeatWatch I was spending approximately $12 per straw of semen. My first year with HeatWatch, I increased that to $18, and will probably buy some $25 straws this season. With HeatWatch, I know there is very little risk of wasting this money on missed cows.
In addition to improving the genetics of my herd, HeatWatch has also freed up two hours of my time per day during the breeding season. I can now dedicate this time to other priority jobs, rather than visual heat detection."
Jimmy Lee Martin
Mountain View Farm
Fairfield, VA
Herd size 95, Holstein
"The number one benefit HeatWatch provides our operation is that the system pinpoints, with 100% certainty, the exact time our cows come into heat. Before using the system, I was spending a lot of money on heatmount detectors. And still, I had to guess whether the mounts that were occurring were actually the onset of standing heat or false mounts. With this type of heat detection method we found there was still a lot of guesswork involved in the breeding process. On the other hand, with HeatWatch there is no guesswork. We know when the exact onset of standing heat occurs, which allows us to artificially inseminate (AI) at the optimum time – within six to 14 hours.
HeatWatch has provided me with the information I needed to decrease my operating expenses and increase my profits. One example of how HeatWatch has helped me decrease operating expenses is by decreasing my services per conception. Before HeatWatch, my average services per conception was 3.7. With HeatWatch, because I know precisely when the onset of estrus occurs, during one breeding season in particular I was able to get my services per conception down to as low as 1.7"
Also, HeatWatch gave me the information I needed to increase the milk production of my entire herd. Because of HeatWatch I have decreased my days open by over 60 days, which means more money in my pocket."
At first glance some farmers may think the system price is a little high. I know from experience that farmers can recoup these initial expenses quickly. With just the examples I've outlined, I think the average farmer can see a significant return on investment in a more-than-reasonable time frame."
Shonda Reid
Fred Rau Dairy
Fresno, California
Herd size 1,500, Holstein
"We are extremely pleased with our results from using HeatWatch. It is and has been the major factor in reaching our dairy management goals."
Lloyd McPherson
Christians Creek Holsteins
Staunton, VA
Herd size 200, Holsteins
"Before we had HeatWatch, I either had a hired hand performing visual heat detection or I was doing it myself. Visual heat detection takes a lot of time out of a workday, and you find yourself getting stretched too thin. The best thing about the HeatWatch™ system is that it works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It works when it's rainy, foggy, when you're sleeping, and when you're feeling under the weather. Any one person just simply can't do that good of a job. There is no way I would give up my HeatWatch system.
"Now, because of HeatWatch™, we breed our cows when we're supposed to. Our conception rates have significantly increased and now range between 45% and 65% year round. Before HeatWatch, we sometimes would have as many as six services per conception and as low as a 20% conception rate. HeatWatch™ has allowed us to substantially decrease our AI expenses by lowering our services per conception.
"At first glance the initial cost of the HeatWatch™ system looks expensive, but after a few years, any farmer will think it's cheap when he sees the time and money it saves in the long run. Think of it like this: Imagine a farmer using a tiny tractor to plow a very large field. He's done this for years and thinks it works just fine. One day he finally decides to invest in a larger tractor. After using it for a while, he will begin to wonder how he ever did without it!
"I have a new herdsman that comes from the beef industry, and he has been using the HeatWatch system. Recently he commented, 'How did you ever catch cows in heat before HeatWatch?' And my answer was, 'To tell you the truth, I'm not quite sure!'"
Brad Stroud, DVM
Stroud Veterinary Embryo Services
Weatherford, TX
"HeatWatch is the most valuable tool to come along since the advent of freezing embryos. With increased efficiency and absolute accuracy in heat detection, I can be more productive with my clients' cattle, semen and embryos that I have been in the last 18 years in the ET business."
The Windows version of Heatwatch saves time and allows for more accurate and precise management of our breeding cow herd, donors, and recipients. We use a lot of expensive semen for our ET customers, and timing is critical to successful insemination, fertilization, and embryo development. Heatwatch Windows is a lifesaver to us".
Mark Johnson
Trans Ova Genetics
Sioux Center, IA
"The HeatWatch system has proven to be a real aid in pinpointing the exact onset of estrus in our donor herd. In the ET business, this is critical, especially in timing breeding with rare or expensive semen."
Dieter Greiner
OBBCO Ranch Corp.
Hawley, TX
"Here at OBBCO we have been using HeatWatch in our Embryo Transfer Recipient program for a year now. Before we had the system we were only able to detect 50% of the cows in heat and were left guessing about the rest. Now we are able to detect all cycling cows in heat and can effectively and immediately identify cows that do not cycle as well as determine cows that do not come back into heat after being implanted. It has reduced the time a recipient is in the system by 75%. It is like having an employee who works twenty-four hours a day and sees everything – we would not want to do without 'him.' The HeatWatch system is an essential management tool for any operation where close monitoring and management of the reproductive performance of the cows/heifers is the key to success."
Ward Eckloff
Eckloff Show Calves
Minden, NE
Herd Size 190, Primarily Angus and Simmental-Angus
"We do ET work on our farm and have a lot of money invested in those cows. With HeatWatch, we are assured we're catching most of our recipient cows in a timely fashion, so we aren't wasting money on expensive semen and other investments associated with ET."
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