Farmers' attitudes towards techniques for improving oestrus detection in dairy herds in South West England

Garforth, C., McKemey, K., Rehman, T., Tranter, R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0702-6505, Cooke, R., Park, J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3430-9052, Dorward, P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2831-3693 and Yates, C. (2006) Farmers' attitudes towards techniques for improving oestrus detection in dairy herds in South West England. Livestock Science, 103 (1-2). pp. 158-168. ISSN 1871-1413 doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2006.02.006

Abstract/Summary

Unidentified heats contribute to declining fertility rates in English dairy herds. Several techniques have been advocated to improve heat detection rates. Despite demonstrable technical efficacy and cost-effectiveness, uptake is low. A study in South West England used the Theory of Reasoned Action (TORA) to explore dairy farmers' attitudes and beliefs towards heat detection techniques. Few farmers were convinced that following prescribed observation times, milk progesterone testing and using pedometers would fit their system or improve on their current heat detection practices. Perceived difficulty of using a technique was not a constraint on adoption. Without promotion that addresses identified barriers and drivers to adoption, little change in current practice can be expected. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/8543
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Uncontrolled Keywords	dairy herds, oestrus, fanner attitudes, adoption, theory of reasoned, action, England, REPRODUCTIVE-PERFORMANCE, CATTLE, COWS, MANAGEMENT
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