• Observe the signs of heat at least three times in a day: Early morning, Mid-day and Evening.

• Observe the signs of heat: mounting behavior, feed and water intake, vulvar discharge, raising tail, sniffing behaviour, frequent urination, bellowing etc.

• Observe the changes in vulva.

• Observe the changes in animal behaviour.

• May go for tail painting or use of chalk to identify the animals that show signs of estrus.

• Maintain record book/three week calendar to know

• when the animal was in heat last time
• when it was inseminated
• when animals are expected to be in the heat.

Prepare a chart with 21 rows in each column and dates of the month and year. Now, when the animal comes to heat, write down the name or ID of the animal against the date. Now, the next column will give information about the date when the animal is expected to come in heat again. Reciprocally, this will also give information about animals that may be expected to be pregnant. Thus, proper attention to the animals coming in heat, or not coming in heat could be given.

• Take the history of the animal from the farmer: when the animal came to heat last time, when it was inseminated, and which signs he observed and when.

• Observe the hind limbs and tail of the animal for vaginal discharge which may still be there but dried.

• Observe the redness and swelling in the vulva.

• If a farmer has not maintained the record book of animals, give them advice to do so.

• Inseminate the animal following AM-PM protocol. In some cases animals may be inseminated twice.

• Use disposable gloves while inseminating and use semen procured from the certified semen station.

In addition to the recommendations for the para-veterinarian, a veterinary doctor should

• Observe the fern pattern in the cervical mucus discharge.

• Per-rectal examination of the reproductive tract and ovaries to look for the turgidity and follicles.

• Checking cervical mucus discharge for any infection.

• Checking the size of ovaries in case of heifers.

• Suggest new age devices like pedometer or collar bands etc. according to the size of the herd to dairy farm managers.

• Vaginal probes or progesterone tests may be recommended but only if necessary.