HeatM8How to Spot a SAG

How to Spot a Sexually Active Group (SAG)

All bulling cows will tend to congregate in a group and ride the ones that are in standing heat.

This group of bulling cows is called a Sexually Active Group or SAG.

When doing paddock observation for bulling cows this is the group you need to look for.

The video below shows a SAG with all the bulling cows milling around each other.

All the non-bulling cows are relaxed and taking no interest in the bulling cow group.

All of the cows in the SAG should be inseminated when the AI tech arrives.

When going out to observe cows in the field the best way is to approach quietly so as not to disturb the herd and allow the bulling cows to show their natural behaviour.

Stop in the gateway for 5 - 10 minutes and just observe what is going on.

In particular, look for cows that are on the peripheral of the group as these may be your "shy cyclers".

If you spot any of these cows make sure you note down their number down and draft them out in the morning for potential AI

In the video below there is an example of this shy behaviour.

To the right of the SAG is a heifer that is intently watching the SAG, note the head up, ears forward, tail up, these are classic signs that the heifer is coming in to heat.

The heifer is then chased away by a more dominant cow before walking in to the group, sniffing a couple of cows and then walking away towards the water trough.

Make sure you note her number down and draft her in the morning as these may be all the signs you will see from her.

I would AI this heifer in the morning regardless of whether her tailpaint has been rubbed or not.