Although most suckler farmers are in the thick of spring calving, for herds that began calving in mid-February, the start of the breeding season is just six weeks away.
Therefore, early April is a good time to give the stock bull his annual check-up.
These checks will vary from farm to farm, but should generally cover the same areas.
Feet
Start with the bull’s feet.
If the hooves have become overgrown, the bull’s feet should be trimmed now.
Do not leave feet trimming until a few days before breeding starts.
If stock bulls have been lying on straw bedding most of the winter, bulls should be standing on concrete for a few hours daily to harden feet again.
Restrain the bull and check the testicles for abnormal lumps. The bull’s penis should also be free of warts, lumps and not corkscrewed.
Scoring
Condition score the bull and offer concentrates to build body flesh in advance of the breeding period.
A semen sample can be taken now. But this really just confirms the bull is fruitful at the time the sample is taken.
An overworked, under-fleshed or lame bull can become sub-fertile during breeding, so good management is important to keep stock bulls in working order for getting cows back in calf.
Read more
Thrive roundup: calf-rearing shed expansion and a new automatic feeder in Mayo
Beef Management: castration, getting back grazing and managing cashflow
Although most suckler farmers are in the thick of spring calving, for herds that began calving in mid-February, the start of the breeding season is just six weeks away.
Therefore, early April is a good time to give the stock bull his annual check-up.
These checks will vary from farm to farm, but should generally cover the same areas.
Feet
Start with the bull’s feet.
If the hooves have become overgrown, the bull’s feet should be trimmed now.
Do not leave feet trimming until a few days before breeding starts.
If stock bulls have been lying on straw bedding most of the winter, bulls should be standing on concrete for a few hours daily to harden feet again.
Restrain the bull and check the testicles for abnormal lumps. The bull’s penis should also be free of warts, lumps and not corkscrewed.
Scoring
Condition score the bull and offer concentrates to build body flesh in advance of the breeding period.
A semen sample can be taken now. But this really just confirms the bull is fruitful at the time the sample is taken.
An overworked, under-fleshed or lame bull can become sub-fertile during breeding, so good management is important to keep stock bulls in working order for getting cows back in calf.
Read more
Thrive roundup: calf-rearing shed expansion and a new automatic feeder in Mayo
Beef Management: castration, getting back grazing and managing cashflow
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