The job description of a bull is simple: get cows bred.
Saulo Zoca, University of Tennessee assistant professor and beef cattle reproduction specialist, says the economic impact of a bull is significant; “The bull has only one job, and that is to get cows pregnant.”
In the last USDA survey report, 92% of beef cows and 76% of beef heifers were exposed only to natural service, no artificial insemination performed. These figures support the importance bull reproductive health.
Zoca stresses the importance of the breeding soundness exam (BSE) comparing it to a car insurance policy for a bull.
“The BSE is just that snapshot of one day, but it’s the best thing we have available for us to evaluate fertility, so we need to be doing it,” he explains.
Along with a physical exam, a BSE evaluates scrotal circumference, semen motility, and morphology, which are all indicators of a bull’s ability to breed effectively.
Zoca suggests testing bulls 30 to 60 days before the breeding season to allow time for management decisions.
“If a bull is deferred, you have some time to retest. If a bull fails, it gives you some time to go and figure out another bull to use in your operation,” he adds.
AJ Tarpoff, Kansas State University extension veterinarian, agrees with Zoca about the importance of the BSE and bull health.
“Our bulls are one of our biggest single animal investments. However, often we forget to include them when considering herd health planning,” Tarpoff says. “I think the No. 1 reason for that is just out of convenience.”
Tarpoff explains bulls may need bigger chutes and handling facilities due to size because of this a producer may neglect bull health. To tackle that concern, veterinarians have set aside a day or set of days to focus on bulls and invited producers to bring in bulls for testing and vaccinations.
Garrett Stewart, DVM, has hosted Bullnanza for his clients near Washington, Kan., for 13 years. Hosted Tuesday through Friday the last week of March, Washington Vet Clinic clients can haul their bulls to the clinic and get them BSE tested as well as updated vaccinations, deworming and other ancillary therapies, helping to ensure their health and breeding soundness.
Stewart says the timing of the event benefits producers by giving them a chance to solve any problems they may find or have time to find another bull to replace one that is infertile.
He says it also serves as a producer appreciation event, with food provided and a networking opportunity to learn about new products from industry nutrition and health representatives.
BSE is an important process to determine if bulls are fertile and able to effectively breed cows. But Zoca reminds producers that bulls fail.
“An important thing to remember is when your veterinarian does the breeding sounds exam, and the bull fails, it’s not your veterinarian that is failing the bull. The veterinarian is not taking the test. It’s the bull that is taking the test.”
