With breeding under way for February-calving herds, it's important to pay close attention to the stock bull to make sure he is working.

A stock bull is half your herd. Take a breeding group of 30 groups, if one or two cows have fertility problems, there should still be 28 or 29 cows capable of going in calf.

But if the stock bull has fertility problems, then you could have as high as a 100% barren rate, which decimates a herd.

Stock bulls should have been checked for physical soundness around three to four weeks before breeding starts. Doing so now is too late for February-calving herds, but there is still time for March/April-calving herds.

Check in on bulls at least twice daily at the start of the breeding season. Spend 20 minutes in each session watching that the bull is following cows in heat and mounting properly.

Record cows that you see in heat and that have been served. Simply stick the date and ear tag in your phone.

If you notice a high percentage of these cows coming back into heat, there may be a fertility issue with the bull.

Quick action will be required to ensure the calving pattern does not slip, as well as avoiding a high barren rate.

Where bulls become lame during the breeding season, you will also need to replace the stock bull or look at using AI to cover cows.

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