With breeding in the spring herd coming to a close over the last number of weeks, one animal that is often forgotten about is the stock bull. While much of the focus is on the females as farmers experience an anxious wait until scanning, it is important to remember the animal that made it all happen (hopefully). Here are some tips for minding your stock bull in the off-season.

Safety first

When talking about a stock bull, the first thing that must always be mentioned is safety. At this time of year stock bulls are generally tired after a full working season. Tiredness, combined with the fact that they have been taken away from a group of cows, can more often than not result in a slightly temperamental bull. In any case, it is important to be vigilant at all times. Whether being kept in the shed or in a paddock, try to set up his accommodation as such that you do not have to enter – he should be checked, fed and watered from behind a fence or barrier.

While your safety is paramount, also consider the bulls’ safety and, if he is temperamental or unsettled after being removed from the group, ensure the enclosure is safe and fit for purpose. There are varying views and strategies taken when it comes to mixing stock bulls. On some farms I have seen groups of five and six mixed together, while other farmers would feel weak at the prospect of bulls even catching sight of each other. If mixing, bulls should be held in the smallest enclosure possible to minimise fighting for the first 24 hours. Many people recommending pairing a big bull with a small bull – bulls of different sizes will find their pecking order, as opposed to bulls of the same size competing with each other.

He should be checked, fed and watered from behind a fence or barrier.

Health check

Before turning your attention away from him until next season, now is the best time to give your stock bull a post-breeding health check. Aside from general health, one of the key areas to look out for is feet. If hooves have grown or lameness is an issue, it is best to treat this now and let the bull out to pasture to recover for at least a month. Trying to complete this task during housing or a few weeks before the next breeding season is not advisable. If you are worried about the health of your stock bull, it is best to consult a vet. In some cases where bulls have picked up an injury, picked up disease or infection or as some bulls get older, it may be necessary to cull these animals. Again, this should be done now rather than later to allow time to build condition for slaughter, as well as time to purchase in a replacement.

Don’t forget the feed

While optimum condition isn’t paramount, it may not be a good idea to hold bulls on a poor plane of nutrition in the off-season. Again, at the end of the breeding season stock bulls can be at their worst and this includes physical condition. After a full breeding season, if your stock bull has lost body condition it would be advisable to place him on a good diet to build up energy and condition once again.

Autumn breeding

Some bulls are only facing into their breeding season now and, in split-calving herds, some are even facing a quick turnaround after spring breeding as the autumn breeding season draws closer. For bulls that will be breeding this autumn, it is time to ensure he is in peak health and condition. This may involve supplementing the diet with a few kg/day of concentrates, as well as a thorough health examination. The other factor to be considered is vaccinating. While nobody enjoys putting stock bulls up the crush, vaccinating your stock bull is just as important as vaccinating your entire herd of cows. A stock bull carrying an infection could do serious damage to the health status of your herd. The main vaccinations to consider are leptospirosis and BVD.

For bulls that will be breeding this autumn, it is time to ensure he is in peak health and condition.