Cattle Breeding Made Eazi with Estrus Synchronization

Are you considering synchronizing your group of cows or heifers? This strategy is a viable option for any producers looking to shorten their calving window. Syncing your herd's heat cycles can help consolidate labor and management practices, streamline calf handling, and more into a shorter, more profitable timeframe. Read on for a breakdown of the benefits and breeding products related to Estrus Synchronization to decide if it’s right for your operation.

What is Estrus Synchronization?

Estrus Synchronization is a recurring period of fertility when several female mammals come into heat around the same time. When these animals’ hormones are in sync, they may be bred inside a shorter length of time than natural estrous/heat. The close breeding timeline helps cows to calve within a few days time of one another to trim the amount of waiting for labor. Synchronization is suitable for use with either natural service breeding or artificial insemination.

Starting a synchronization program requires a Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) because there are drugs involved in the process. Without an existing veterinary relationship, they will not sell you these drugs. The vet can also help you choose a synchronization protocol that makes the best sense for your team and your animals. One of the more common protocols uses a vaginal Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) implant, which usually delivers accurate results over a single shot protocol. Again, discuss the pros and cons of several protocols with your vet.

The Benefits of Synchronizing Cattle Cycles

Synchronizing cattle cycles makes the breeding season more efficient for producers because they have control over when cows calf. It saves time and resources which makes the operation more profitable. Without a synchronized cycle, producers face 21 days of constant estrus (heat) detection with usually only one opportunity to artificially inseminate most females.

This cycle also helps create gestational feeding groups as well as calf groups that are more uniform (in age, size and weight) when they go to market at weaning time. This uniformity can bode well for auction by earning better prices. Synchronization also benefits producers with uniform replacement heifers. They are more likely to hit puberty in the same timeframe and should be ready to breed at the start of a breeding season.

Eazi Breed CIDR Insertion

The Eazi-Breed CIDR cattle insert helps enhance the effectiveness of cattle reproduction programs through estrous synchronization for:

lactating dairy cows
suckled beef cows
replacement beef and dairy heifers

Eazi-Breed CIDRs may also be used for induction of estrous cycles, advancement of first postpartum estrus, and other situations.

To insert the implant, use protective gloves and follow instructions from the manufacturer. You’ll need an applicator, cleaning solution and a lubricant. The T-shaped device folds up into the applicator which is inserted at a slightly upward angle over the pelvic bone. Simply press the plunger to dispense the insert from the applicator. Each elastic silicone insert gets impregnated with 1.38 grams of progesterone which is continually released onto the animal’s vagina. With the proper removal timing and an injection, the CIDR triggers estrus and ovulation.

CIDR Timeline

How long do you leave CIDRs in cattle? Zoetis says to follow this CIDR timeline for lactating dairy cows:

Administer the Eazi-Breed CIDR implant on Day 0.
Remove the implant on Day 7 (if insert day was a Monday, remove the following Monday). At removal, administer 5 mL of Lutalyse intramuscularly.
Watch for estrus/heat on Days 9 to 12, and breed on standing heat.

You’ll need a prescription from the vet for Lutalyse, but you don’t have to buy the drug from them. When you order Lutalyse Injection Rx from PBS Animal Health, our pharmacists call the vet for you. Simply provide your vet contact info during the checkout process and we’ll call to verify the prescription.

Shorten Your Calving Season with Estrus Synchronization

If estrus synchronization is a program you think your operation could benefit from, talk to your vet about which protocol makes the most sense. Synchronization may help get your cows settled earlier in the breeding season and could expand your potential profit margin. For efficient calving, sync your shopping efforts with Eazi-Breed CIDR and Lutalyse at PBS Animal Health today.

Visit The Learning Center For More Articles