It’s easy to forget about the bulls when you are a cow-calf producer. Usually, they are only actively working a few months each year, so it's tempting to put their health needs on the back burner. However, a successful breeding season depends on healthy bulls.
According to Dr. Doug Ensley, Professional Services Veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., it is important to make sure bulls are ready for the breeding season. “When your goal is to get as many cows as possible bred early in the breeding season, it is critical for bulls to be in the right body condition and protected against disease challenges before turning them in with the cows,” he says.
Dr. Ensley recommends conducting the following examinations on bulls at least six weeks before breeding season:
Dr. Ensley suggests vaccinating bulls for leptospirosis, IBR, vibrio and BVD Types 1 and 2, 30 days prior to the breeding season. “You should vaccinate your bulls with the same pre-breeding vaccinations that you would give your cow herd,” he says. “A bull comes into contact with numerous cows during the breeding season; you don’t want him spreading disease.”
Dr. Ensley advises using a pinkeye vaccine in herds with a history of pinkeye or in pinkeye-endemic areas. He also recommends a seven-way clostridial vaccine in young bulls.
Parasite control is another important step in preparing bulls for a successful breeding season. Because of the amount of energy that bulls use during a busy breeding season, they are more susceptible to parasites, explains Dr. Ensley. Producers should ensure bulls are treated with a pour-on that has proven efficacy and persistency against internal and external parasites.
It’s important to ensure bulls are cared for when you take them away from the cows. Dr. Ensley points out that bulls need to be on a good nutrition plan during the rest period. “Bulls use a lot of energy during the breeding season and usually lose weight,” he continues. “They need to be put on good pasture and supplemented as necessary to get them on the best nutritional plan and ready for the next breeding season.”
Dr. Ensley recommends producers review the bull battery carefully for the following:
He also says producers should note body condition scores. The body condition of the bulls post breeding may be a good indicator of what happened during the season, adds Dr. Ensley. If bulls are in poor body condition, it may be an indicator that something is going on in the cow herd that prevented an early-season breed-up, and the cows are still cycling at the end of breeding season.
“The rest period is important for bulls because they are making semen during that time,” emphasizes Dr. Ensley. “The quality of treatment during the off-season will impact the next breeding season.”
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (St. Joseph, MO) is a subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation, based in Ridgefield, CT, and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies.