Get to Know Your Bull

Winter is your bull's offseason, so now is the time to assess his health and determine if he will keep his position or is ready for retirement.

- By Courtney Love

Your bull is the key player in your herd. He's an investment that sets the tone for years to come.

“These animals produce 25–30 calves yearly, whereas a cow produces one calf. They are the moneymakers, and need some tender love and care, too,” said Jacques Fuselier, technical services veterinarian with Merck Animal Health.

Schedule a Physical Exam

On most farms, breeding soundness exams are done at the beginning of a bull’s purchase, but evaluating the animal in the winter offseason can be beneficial.

A bull with low fertility and poor physical soundness can lead to substandard conception rates.

According to the University of Arkansas Extension, one in five bulls fail a breeding soundness exam. Doing an exam two months or more in advance allows you to treat the bull for any health issues or find a replacement.

“It takes two months to find an appropriate replacement — that time frame fits any program,” Fuselier said.