MountCount consists of a battery-powered electronic circuit board housed in a watertight case, which is attached to the tailhead of the animal to be heat detected. The mounting activity triggers a button activating an electronic switch located on the circuit board. A sophisticated microprocessor senses the mount, and performs mathematical computations to determine the state of the estrus cycle. The microprocessor then alerts the user of the estrus state by flashing high-intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs – small lights) visible through the end of the case.  The button, case, and electronics are designed to resist accidental activation such as chin rests, yet be activated during normal mounting activity.

There are three LEDs on a MountCount unit.  From left to right they are…the Suspect LED, the Standing Heat LED and the Breed Zone LED.  Each one blinks at a different time to display information about the status of that cow’s estrus cycle.

The information displayed by the three blinking lights on MountCount units is the same that is used in HeatWatch® and is based on the landmark study conducted by Dr. Ray Nebel of Virginia PolyTecnic Institute in Blacksburg , VA. His work revolved around, 1.) when does standing heat really start and, 2.) when is the best time to breed a dairy cow.

His results were, 1.)  when a dairy cow has been mounted 3 times in 4 hours, there’s a 99% probability that she is in heat with the first mount considered to be the onset of the heat and, 2.) the best time to breed a dairy cow is a 10 hour window from 4-14 hours after the onset of heat.  (See the chart below.)

Suspect LED:    

The first and second mounts will cause the Suspect (S) LED to begin flashing. Basically, it’s telling you that she’s being mounted but is probably not yet in standing heat. 

This LED will remain flashing for up to 14 hours unless a standing heat is detected. The LED stops flashing after 14 hours to conserve battery power. Two suspect cycles are allowed per use. After the Suspect (S) LED stops flashing (when the 14 hours has expired), the unit will still detect standing heat as described below.  If both suspect cycles are used, the unit will not begin blinking until the criterion for standing heat has been met.  At that point it will progress through the heat cycle.

Standing Heat LED:

When she has been mounted 3 times in 4 hours, the Standing Heat (H) LED begins to blink.  This tells you she has met the criteria for standing heat (3 mounts in 4 hours) and will soon be ready to breed.

Again, three mounts occurring within a four-hour period is generally regarded as the criterion for standing heat. Extensive research was performed at Virginia Polytechnic to determine the proper parameter for standing heat definition.  Of cows that meet this criterion, 95% of them will be in standing heat.  The first mount in the set of three is considered the onset of estrus. If a standing heat is detected the Suspect (S) LED will stop flashing and the standing Heat (H) LED will begin flashing.

Breed LED:   

When this LED is blinking, it means she is in the breed zone and should be bred as soon as possible.

The electronics are programmed to activate the Breed (B) LED during the optimal time for breeding the animal (4 to 14 hours after the onset of estrus for dairy cattle). With this model, at 4 hours after the onset of estrus the Standing Heat (H) LED will stop flashing, and the Breed (B) LED will start flashing. The Breed (B) LED will continue to flash for 10 hours to indicate the optimal window to breed the animal. 

This chart shows the ideal time to breed a lactating cow is between 4 to 14 hours after the onset of estrus.  For heifers, the period is between 8 to 18 hours.  The keys to improving pregnancy rates are improving heat detection and time to insemination. MountCount and HeatWatch are the only heat detection devices that can pinpoint the onset of estrus so you can time the breedings to achieve higher pregnancy rates.

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