Page 39 - MWC 4-23-20s

The Midwest Cattleman · April 23, 2020 · P39
Cow-calf producers should record Getting bulls ready for the breeding season

multiple births in their herds

Any coach of a winning similar vaccinations (except “The environmental ad- tussle going on, human safe-
athlete will say that suc- bulls do not receive a brucel- aptation is really import- ty is important, and produc-
cess in competition is the losis vaccine), and cows and ant,” he said. “Bulls that go ers need to be careful how
result of the athlete’s nu- mature bulls should be vac- from a high energy growing they interrupt that. It is im-
trition and fitness prepara- cinated similarly. ration to dormant winter portant that those bulls are
tion. Beef cattle experts at He also stressed the im- forage can lose a body con- located in a spot where they
Kansas State University say portance of evaluating year- dition score. That decline can be separated as needed.”
that same mentality applies ling and mature bulls with in energy status can have Get the bulls introduced
to preparing bulls for the a breeding soundness exam an impact on breeding per- and settled before you turn
breeding season. prior to the start of breed- formance as well as semen them out with cows. What
“A single bull is responsi- ing. quality. This nutritional in- you don’t want are bulls to
ble for many pregnancies, so “That exam will include sult is exacerbated in bulls be distracted from settling
it is critical that he goes into the bull’s physical health that were in marginal condi- the cows because they are
the breeding season healthy as well as an evaluation tion initially.” fighting for dominance over
and fertile,” said veterinar- of the reproductive tract Another concern is how who is the king bull.
ian Bob Larson, speaking and semen quality,” Larson the bulls will get along in a KSU
recently on the Beef Cattle said, adding that even with breeding pasture.
Institute’s CattleChat pod- healthy looking bulls, about “Managing the introduc-
cast. 10-20% will actually show tion of yearling bulls with
To make sure bulls are up as sub-fertile. mature bulls pre-turnout
well-vaccinated heading into Once they’ve passed their is important because they
the breeding season, Larson health exam, Weaber ad- will need to sort out a peck-
advises producers to follow vised that producers focus ing order,” Weaber said. “Of-
similar protocols for females on acclimating the bulls to tentimes the bulls can get
and males of the same age. the breeding environment injured in a fight for domi-
For example, the heifers and ahead of when they are nance.”
yearling bulls should receive turned out with the cows. He added: “If there is a big

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