April 2017 Articles

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Make sure your bulls are ready

Make sure your bulls are ready—Breeding season is approaching quickly and we need to think ahead and not be surprised by any issue that can arise. Some of you may have purchased, or are about to purchase, one or more sires for your operation. Once you go through the selection and purchase of the appropriate bull for your program and transport him to your farm, then starts the significant, but not usually understood process, of getting that bull adapted to your operation. Remember that this new bull is an investment, and he will be responsible for quite a few calves, depending on how you manage your herd. I am sure you also want him to maximize his longevity in your herd. Then where do you start? First and foremost, if you have not done it already (this should be done before buying the bull), ask the seller what he was feeding the bull; in essence, what was the nutrition program that your bull was raised on. Why is this important? Mainly because a lot of bulls are raised on a high density energy diet that includes some type of grain (corn, sorghum, etc.). Many times these bulls are gaining 3-3.5 pounds per day if they are in a “test” facility. If a bull that has been gaining that much weight and probably has a high condition score (7 or more), many times in conditions in which they do not need to walk too much for feed, water and shade, you don’t want to place him in a pasture of dormant bermudagrass or even annual ryegrass. He will need to go through a transition diet (gradually decreasing energy concentration) to meet the requirements of still-growing animal. Remember that bulls must maintain good fertility and libido, and for this you need to make sure that their diet includes their requirements for protein, energy, macro and micro minerals and vitamins. If bulls were on a high energy diet when you purchased them then keep them for a couple of weeks on 70 percent of the energy intake they used to have. It is important that bulls are gaining weight as breeding season approaches. A gain of 2.0 to 2.5 pounds per day is a good target; however, work with your Extension agent to make sure that you are feeding the bull appropriately. Another consideration is the space available for the new bull. Bulls need enough space to keep their distance from each other, especially from dominant bulls. This space will also give bulls the chance to exercise as part of the process of getting ready for the breeding season. Finally, herd health and breeding soundness exams are a must. Bulls should be vaccinated and treated for parasites before you pick them up, but be aware that they will need, more than likely, a booster vaccination. Vaccinations for reproductive diseases will be needed unless you are purchasing virgin bulls. Consult your veterinarian for health-related issues such as these. It is your responsibility to ask your bull provider about the breeding soundness exam results for the bulls of your interest. If you buy one with no exam, or for bulls that are on your ranch, do this exam at least 60 days prior to the breeding season, so that, if you have any bull that fails the test, you have enough time to get a new one. This test will tell you if the animal is sound and fertile; however, it will not tell you about his libido or sex drive (desire to breed cows). This factor brings us to the breeding season. After turnout, make sure that bulls are actually working. Even though you need to check them all, make sure you dedicate more time to observe the yearling bulls. They may have passed the breeding soundness exam with flying colors but if they don’t have the sex drive, you may end up with many open cows. Once into the breeding season, minimize heat stress by providing the herd with fresh water and enough shade for them to stay comfortable during the hottest hours of the day. If for any reason you need to handle cattle, do it in early morning and do not work cattle after 10:00 am. I know that most of the time, once the breeding season is over, many bulls end up in the worst pasture at the back of the farm and are checked every now and then. They are a huge asset in your operation and they are expensive. They should have the same degree of attention as the rest of the herd. Watch for body condition, foot problems, general health and make sure they receive appropriate nutrition that improves their fertility and immune system. These factors are even more important in young bulls, since they are still growing. Best wishes for this year—Dr. Guillermo Scaglia, LSU AgCenter Iberia Research Station