For beef producers, one of the top goals is to achieve a 95% calf crop within a 45–65-day calving period while keeping costs low and weaning weights high. Proper bull selection, care, and performance checks are key to reaching this goal. Bulls play a crucial role in determining the number of calves born and the overall quality of those calves. Using bulls with proven performance records is highly recommended for both natural breeding and artificial insemination (AI).
Essential Bull Management Practices
To keep herds productive and healthy, here are the most important practices to follow:
1. Health Checks and Vaccinations
Bulls can carry diseases, especially when they come from herds with unknown health histories. To prevent problems, it’s important to:
- Test for Diseases: Before breeding, bulls should be checked for diseases like brucellosis, tuberculosis, trichomoniasis, and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). Bulls that have been used in other herds are more likely to spread infections such as campylobacteriosis or trichomoniasis. Washing the bull’s sheath with antimicrobial solutions can help reduce risks.
- Vaccinate Regularly: Bulls should be vaccinated for diseases like IBR (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis), BVD, clostridial diseases, leptospirosis, and others. Vaccines should be given at 6 months old, again at 1 year, and then annually—ideally one month before breeding season starts.
2. Breeding Soundness Exam
Every year, bulls should have a breeding soundness exam about a month before breeding season. This gives enough time to address any issues or buy another bull if needed. The exam should include:
- A full physical check of reproductive organs.
- Measuring the size of the scrotum.
- Checking semen under a microscope to assess sperm movement and shape. Advanced tools like computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) can also be used for more detailed results.
3. Time to Adjust
Bulls should arrive on the farm at least two months before the breeding season to get used to the environment. Any new bulls or cows added to the herd should be kept separate for a while to ensure they adapt well and don’t bring in diseases.
During and After Breeding Season
- Monitor Mating: Watch the bulls to ensure they are mating properly. Typically, one bull is assigned to 25 cows, though this number can change based on the bull’s health, energy level, and the terrain.
- Recheck Immature Bulls: Younger bulls or those recovering from an illness may need extra time to mature. If a breeding exam shows unclear results, wait 60 days and recheck them, as it takes this long for new sperm to develop.
- Maintain Healthy Weight: Bulls should regain weight lost during breeding season, but avoid overfeeding. Too much fat around the scrotum can disrupt sperm production and lower fertility.
Managing Infertility
If a bull has a permanent issue, like orchitis (swelling in the testes) or epididymitis (inflammation in the ducts), it’s best to remove him from the herd. Such conditions usually cause permanent infertility.
Using Technology to Improve Breeding
New tools, like CASA and flow cytometry, provide more precise ways to check sperm quality than traditional microscopes. While these methods are mainly used in labs, they offer valuable insights into a bull’s fertility potential.
By following these straightforward steps, producers can improve breeding success, boost herd health, and achieve better overall results. A well-managed bull is a key part of running a profitable and efficient beef operation.
