Ridgeway Science

Top 10 uses of rapid progesterone measurement in milk Progesterone (P4) is a hormone well known for its uses in fertility management and heat detection in cattle. Today we are showing you 10 ways you can use progesterone measurement in milk to aid in improving your herds fertility. You can use rapid progesterone detection tests to confirm heat when you have observed bulling or have a cow that does not demonstrate signs – a low P4 result confirms heat, allowing…

Milk and its many uses An introduction to milk Years ago, a cow’s milk was produced for the sole purpose to be suckled by her calf. Utilisation of cow’s milk as a source of food was well developed by the 19th century with the dairy  being an important part of the farm, producing milk, cream, butter and cheese. A good example of a farm dairy can be seen at Acton Scott. Over time cattle have been selected for milk production or beef. Further…

International Women’s Day: Female African Dairy Farmers The numbers on a poster on the Health For Animal website marking International Women’s Day on the 8th March, caught my attention: two thirds of the 600 million poorest livestock keepers globally are women. 90% of the income they earn is ploughed back into their family or society. In East Africa, dairy is the biggest industry for female livestock keepers. This is a population of small holder farmers that produce milk for their family and…

Progesterone profiles in dairy cows: what can they tell us? The previous article in this series from Ridgeway Science reviewed the dairy cow oestrus cycle and we’re following that with a more detailed look at the progesterone-dominated luteal phase of the cycle, reported by Blavy and colleagues in 2016. What is Progesterone? Progesterone is a steroid hormone and is produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary after ovulation. If a cow becomes pregnant, the corpus luteum will be maintained…