Winter serves as an ideal period to conduct comprehensive health assessments of your bulls. A bull that is not mobile or has sustained injuries will not be able to fulfill his duties in the spring. Regular health evaluations, a balanced diet, and ensuring they remain active are all integral in preparing them for the next breeding season.
By taking the time now to evaluate, feed, and manage your bulls properly, you’re not just maintaining their health—you’re setting your operation up for success next year. The better condition they’re in, the better they’ll perform when it’s time to go back to work. A little attention during the off-season can make all the difference when it matters most.
Bull Health
Bull health is the foundation for a successful breeding season, and it’s something that shouldn’t be overlooked once the season is over. Even though their main job might be done, taking care of their health now can prevent bigger problems later. A healthy bull is one that can move around easily, stay active, and be ready to breed again when the time comes.
One of the first things you want to check is for any signs of lameness. If your bull can’t move well, he won’t be able to do his job in the field. Another important step is a breeding soundness exam, which ensures that everything is working as it should for the next breeding season. These checks are simple but crucial ways to ensure your bull stays healthy and productive.
Lameness check
As you bring your bulls off the pasture, lameness is one of the first things to check for. Bulls must be able to move comfortably, especially if they are expected to cover large areas or deal with rough terrain. If a bull can’t move well, he won’t be able to do his job effectively during the breeding season. Foot and leg issues are a common reason for culling bulls, so it’s important to catch them early before they worsen.
Sometimes, signs of lameness aren’t always obvious. You may need to observe the bull closely, and a good tip is to watch how he moves compared to the other cows. If he’s limping or walking slower than the rest of the herd, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Paying attention to these subtle differences can help you decide whether the bull needs treatment or if it’s time to consider replacing him.
Breeding soundness exam
Following the conclusion of the breeding season, it’s highly recommended to conduct a breeding soundness exam on your bulls. This test is instrumental in determining the bull’s readiness for the next breeding season. The exam involves a thorough physical check of the bull’s reproductive organs to ensure they are functioning optimally. A key component of this test is measuring the bull’s scrotal circumference, a crucial indicator of fertility.
In addition to the physical exam, the bull’s semen is also evaluated for quality. This test ensures that his semen is healthy and capable of producing strong calves. A breeding soundness exam is an essential step in maintaining the health of your herd, as a bull with poor reproductive performance can affect the success of your entire operation. I discuss this subject in more detail in a previous post, “Don’t forget about the bull.”
Herd health plan
Taking care of both the internal and external parasites will help improve performance. Parasite control helps keep bulls healthy and prevent the spread of diseases throughout the herd. Parasite control should include de-worming at least twice a year to get better control. Depending on your area, consider a grubicide and lice application. Treatment for external parasites not only prevents performance losses but also improves the appearance of the bull.
Having a good herd health program in place is always a good idea. It would be best to talk with your local veterinarian to map out the common diseases in your area. Some common types you may come across in your herd are IBR, BVD, PI3, and BRSV. It would be best if you administered this vaccine annually during the BSE evaluation of your bulls. Some areas require annual leptospirosis (5-Way) vaccinations, while others need it every three to six months. The Trichomoniasis vaccine is always a good idea for your breeding herd.
Nutrition
Your bull may have a lower BCS after the breeding season, depending on the forage conditions. According to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, bulls can be expected to lose between 100 and 400 lbs during the course of the breeding season. Getting him back into a BCS of 6 should be a priority. You will need to take stock of where you currently are and where you need to be to formulate a plan.
Your cattle may not be able to meet their protein and energy needs during this time due to forages losing most of their nutritional value. This lack of nutritional value means that you may have to supplement to meet its needs. You, as the caretaker, can use range cubes or lick tubs if you need protein supplements. If energy is lacking, you will need a more roughage-based diet to take care of that.
Nutrition factors
Factors such as his size and age will determine what kind of supplement you will need. A yearling bull will need more nutrition than, say, a mature one. This increased need is because the yearling is still growing, so they will need much higher quality food to get him going. The larger he will be, the more he will need more feed just to meet his basic maintenance requirements. For this reason, you see the trend where people are going for the smaller framed cows.
Some people will keep the bulls with the cow herd during this time. From a labor standpoint, it does make sense. It makes it easier not to have to cover more areas, but this will only sometimes work. As your cows reach the 3rd trimester, their supplement needs will differ from the bull’s needs. The supplements they will need will do nothing more than make them fat, which is only sometimes a good thing. Plus, you run the risk of having calves that are being born out of your designed calving season.
Bull management
Year-round producers have two options when it comes to keeping a bull: with the cows or by themselves. I mentioned earlier why it is better to keep them separate. The separation will give them a chance to rest and recoup from the breeding season and from any potential cows that may come open during the winter.
If you have multiple bulls, keeping them together during this time is a good idea. It gives them the chance to set their pecking order and out of the way before the breeding season starts. You want them out there servicing the cows and not fighting among themselves, right?
It would help if you also made them move around the pasture in which you are keeping them. Moving around the pasture makes them keep up with a bit of exercise, and they will be ready in the spring. You can do this by placing the water trough and their food source in different parts of the pasture. These other locations will force them to move around.
It is also a good idea during this time to evaluate if you want to keep any of the bulls or replace them with a newer, younger one. Replace the bull every four or five years, according to recommendations. This amount of time is usually the length of its abilities and prevents it from breeding its daughters. Deciding which ones you want to replace now will give you time to shop for the next bull.
Should I cull or not?
When it comes to making this decision, you should consider all of the factors. For starters, you need to look at where your operation is genetically and where you would like it to go. If there is a gap between these two, then you should consider getting rid of the bull that you currently have.
Next, look at his overall structure and soundness. A bull will only do you good if he is able to get around the pasture and do his job. Look for things like him walking around stiff-legged or taking short strides. Ultimately, the decision on whether to get rid of him or not will rest entirely on you. The bull alone will account for half of your herd’s genetics, so you better choose wisely.