This week, we have seen three cases of absolute fertility failure at scanning. All three involved infertile bulls. Thankfully, two of them were discovered at recent scanning, so these farmers have an opportunity to do something about it immediately.

Calving next year will be late, but at least there will be a crop of calves for the year and often we find that when calving happens later in the spring, calves tend to be healthier. In my opinion, a lot of our suckler herds would have better calf health results if calving was deliberately delayed, but the demand for autumn weanlings seems to dictate against this.

The third case of fertility failure was observed at a Knowledge Transfer visit. On examining the production figures provided by the Department, I presumed this farmer had virtually gotten out of cows for 2016. He had only one calving that year compared with 20 in each of the previous years.

However, on my visit, I discovered that the single calf was a product of a neighbour’s weanling breaking in, while his own newly purchased bull proved infertile.

Unfortunately in this case the problem wasn’t discovered until late in the year and the farmer at that stage simply decided to put a line through that year’s calf crop. Nutritional problems, infectious diseases and mineral imbalances all cause problems with fertility on most farms at some stage, but nothing will match an infertile bull for devastation to farm productivity.

All bulls should be subjected to a bull breeding soundness examination (BBSE) in advance of every breeding season. One of the first mentioned cases involved a previously proven bull. In our experience, issues with young bulls not being properly managed are very common.

Any stress such as showing, transporting, dietary change or introduction to a new environment may affect fertility. The animal will often look clinically healthy and serve cows fine.

The only place the stress will manifest is the place of primary importance for a breeding bull – his decimated sperm count. This will usually recover after a period of rest, but this common dip in fertility can be avoided by buying in plenty of time. Take good care of him for 12 weeks and then don’t put him with too many cows.

Conor Kilcoyne owns and runs Kilcoyne Veterinary, Wolfe Tone Sq., Tubbercurry, Co Sligo. Kilcoyne Veterinary is part of XLVets. XLVets is a group of progressive practices who are working together to achieve a better future for agriculture and veterinary in Ireland. Visit www.xlvets.ie.