The centre has taken lead in the roll out of the competition. But it is roping in all stakeholders in the Kenyan Genetics industry (Importers and Kenyan Semen Producers) as well as regulators through the National Competition Steering Committee. The national Steering committee is supported by a National Technical Committee as well as a Secretariat. As the record national Semen Production centre, the centre wishes to see that all stakeholders in the Livestock genetics cold chain work together to enhanced the uptake of AI services. A case of cooking a bigger cake so that there is enough for everybody.

The promise in artificial insemination is a conception from good genetics so that the next generation of offsprings are better than the parents. This begins with a good conception, otherwise there is no calf to talk about. Estrotect helps us to remove guess work around the time of heat detection and the quality of heat. With the rubbing/scratching of over 50%, the chances of conception are increased tremendously. We could not find a better tool to further enhance the conception rate for everyone the Estrotect does. But let us appreciate there is need to also do all the other practices right to get the conceptions up. It is important to note that whereas Estrotect is in common use internationally with over 100 million patches being used annually, the uptake in Kenya been low. It is also the most widely research heat detection tool. ADC LGC is working to see that this tool is widely used. And what better way to introduce than through a competition environment where we get every farmer and AI service provider to increase their chances for a conception.

We have provided a Google Form based data entry form to enable the initial recordings to take place. At the end you use WhatsApp to take photos of the fee set and the Estrotect patch rubbed off from the heat activity. Once uploaded it is converted to graphical information and we can monitor progress from the display. We will want to tally all the services and link them up to conceptions, as part of an experiment to confirm that the patches actually work in increasing the chances of conception. The WhatsApp platform is for the interim period as an Android Platform gets to be developed and rolled out. Subsequently the platform will be used for feedback reporting and as a discussion forum. We are aware that there are currently other platforms which allow for AI reporting, but we wanted to have our own data to work with. The link to the google forms is pinned to the top part of the group and can be accessed directly.

The half way point as shown with the third patch below is the cut off point. Animals showing less than 50% scratch should not be serviced. Animal which are at point do not need a further waiting period and can be served immediately. The farmers/cow attendant does not have to worry about the start of the heat, as long as the half way point is reach, service can take place. This eliminates the need to apply the AM/PM rule. The patches are also placed after service on the same location as a pregnancy indicator.

We are availing the Estrotect patches through our agents spread across the country. Just place an order and you can collect along with your semen supply. Large scale farms and Cooperatives can get in contact us directly for assistance. In the event you still cannot get some, you may WhatsApp or call directly either Dr. Maranga at 0726007887 or Dr. Cherogony at 0710815161.

The competition will be organized in at least four categories, but this may be enhanced in the course of the competition. The proposed categories for now are as follows; Artificial Insemination Service Providers, Individual Farmers using AI services, Cooperatives or Groups using AI services, Semen Distribution Agents, Semen Importers, and National Semen Producers.

• Number of entries into the platform. The higher the entries the higher the score. This will also be worked as a percentage of the semen purchased across the semen companies.
• Number of Estrotect Patches used. The more the better - The proof will be on the evidence of purchase (The workshop free sample will be eligible) as well as photo of usage.
• Conception rate for the services. A report by a veterinarian will be best. However, collaboration with Estrotect patches which remain unscratched for three months after service will be admissible as evidence. Ultrasound images as well as blood tests will also be evaluated and admitted as evidence. A comparison will be made using the data obtained to compare success rates for Estrotect users and those who have not used.
• Calving Rates. The number of calves born against the services will also be used as a criterion. Photographic evidence of the births, Insemination record as captured in photographs as well as in the platform will be used to evaluate this category. GPS reference as well as farmer records may also be used to do the evaluation.
• Insemination Technique. Every AI service provider will be encouraged to take a video of themselves doing the service. Judges will then decide the quality of the service and award points.
• Farmer Feedback. The competition believes in promoting good customer relationship. The committee will work out a way to get farmer feedback and ward point for each service provider for this category.
• This is just the tentative list of items and marks. The full list will be developed by the committee and will be shared in due course. Self-assessment forms will be developed and shared early in the competition. The criteria will have different weights and it is the final score which will be used to determine the score.

The poster below captures the proposed list of prizes. This is expected to be enhanced further by the National Competition Committee which is currently under formation. More sponsors are expected to come on board and this could also enhance the prizes on offer.

Please can you change the terminology from 'silent heat' to 'low oestrus intensity'. A single mount onto the cow exhibiting standing heat will remove about 15 to 20% of the silver coating. So, as long as a single mount has occurred - the Estrotect patch will be 'activated'.

What we do know is cows that are inseminated that have low oestrus intensity also have lower levels of Pregnancy Associated Glycoprotein (PAG) - this results in lower pregnancy rates and the increased probability of a reabsorption.

Apart from temperature, milk production and low Body Condition Score; small groups may also result in low oestrus intensity. You would still inseminate these cows. In order for us to measure the impact low oestrus intensity is having on getting cows pregnant in Kenya - makes recording this information of patch scoring and on the digital platform of utmost importance.

The Patch is a sufficient indicator. Trust the Research. Tens of thousands of inseminations (in different continents) have proven in numerous Scientific Journal Research Studies that when inseminating at this amount of rub-off (over 50%) optimizes pregnancy rates. It is all about timing! Breed at this time – do not wait 12 hours, unless using sexed semen. The patch alone is a sufficient indicator.

Our Customers in South Africa, for example, many have over 1000 milking cows with group sizes in excess of 300 cows – they do not have time or the resources to watch the cows – they rely totally on Estrotect to do the work for them. With over 250 million patches used globally – trust a product that works!

“Take away the guess work.” Correct – you do not need to see mounting. Most mounting activity was done at night. Some cattle (and breeds) are also shy.

Note: The reason the AM-PM Rule has such variable results – is the farmer does not know when the standing heat started. In addition to this, if the Farmer sees the tail-end of standing heat – then you inseminate 12 hours later – does not allow the semen to capacitate in time for fertilization.

No, it is not too late. As long as the Farmer is checking the cattle twice a day - morning and afternoon. As soon as the Farmer has seen activation over 50% to 100% rub-off is the optimum time to breed. It also shows that the cow had a really high oestrus intensity (and a lot of mounting occurred). The Farmer must not wait 12 hours to contact you. Breed this cow as soon as possible.

Licking: In over 20 years of selling Estrotect – licking has only occurred once – it was with a group of heifers – and there was one culprit. The evidence was that it was rubbed off only on one side of the patch. The culprit was removed and the licking stopped. However, if this is an issue – best is to spray the patches with vinegar and remove the culprit. Also notify us.

Branch scratches: Cows walking under low lying branches and low poles will rub the patch – these would cause scratch marks – unlike mounting activity which is smooth rub-off. Suggest to the Farmer to have these branches cut and poles moved.

Tail switching: If there is a lot of fly challenge and when used on heifers – it is best to place the patch further back on the tail head just above the pin bones.

Hail does not affect the patches.