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 not to forget the other animal that made it all happen.
Safety first
At this time of the 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 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 bull's safety and, if he is temperamental or unsettled after being removed from the group, ensure the enclosure is safe and fit for purpose.
Strategies
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, on others they stay separated.
If mixing, bulls should be held in the smallest enclosure possible to minimise fighting for the first 24 hours.
It is recommended to pair 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.
It’s not exactly scientific and by no means proven, but many farmers will say put vinegar on all bulls’ noses before mixing – the idea being that they both smell the same.
Don’t forget the feed
While optimum condition isn’t paramount, it is important to ensure a bull’s body condition stays above 2.
If his condition falls below this, it will prove difficult to get him back into condition for the next breeding season without special management.
As the grazing season progresses into the autumn, grass quality will ultimately decrease.
If this happens, bulls may need supplementation to minimise condition loss.
If good-quality grass is not available, supplementing with 2kg to 3kg of 14% CP concentrates will help a bull gain condition.
As housing approaches, it is important to remember their indoor diet too.
Table 1 outlines a sample stock-bull diet to gain 0.75 of a condition score over the winter in a spring-calving herd.
Ideally, one of the best places for a stock bull over the winter months is outdoors in a dry well-sheltered paddock with a hardcore area for feeding.
However, where housing is necessary, the bull should have access to a well-bedded area, along with a clean concrete area for feeding on.
Stock bulls should not be carried over the winter on slats or in pens that are completely straw bedded.
Health checks
Some bulls are only facing into their breeding season now and, in split-calving herds, some are even facing a quick turn-around 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 concentrates, as well as a thorough health examination.
The examination includes checking:
Feet, legs and locomotion.Scrotum and testes – measuring scrotal circumference and looking for abnormalities.Body condition score – target 3.0-3.5.Ideally, a stock bull should be fertility tested to evaluate semen volume, density and motility, as well as any abnormalities.The final factor to be considered is vaccinating. Vaccinating your stock bull is just as important as vaccinating your entire herd of cows.
The main vaccinations to consider prior to breeding are vaccinations against Leptospirosis and BVD.
The off-season is also a good time to administer a wormer and fluke dose if necessary. Do not do this before breeding though.
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 not to forget the other animal that made it all happen.
Safety first
At this time of the 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 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 bull's safety and, if he is temperamental or unsettled after being removed from the group, ensure the enclosure is safe and fit for purpose.
Strategies
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, on others they stay separated.
If mixing, bulls should be held in the smallest enclosure possible to minimise fighting for the first 24 hours.
It is recommended to pair 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.
It’s not exactly scientific and by no means proven, but many farmers will say put vinegar on all bulls’ noses before mixing – the idea being that they both smell the same.
Don’t forget the feed
While optimum condition isn’t paramount, it is important to ensure a bull’s body condition stays above 2.
If his condition falls below this, it will prove difficult to get him back into condition for the next breeding season without special management.
As the grazing season progresses into the autumn, grass quality will ultimately decrease.
If this happens, bulls may need supplementation to minimise condition loss.
If good-quality grass is not available, supplementing with 2kg to 3kg of 14% CP concentrates will help a bull gain condition.
As housing approaches, it is important to remember their indoor diet too.
Table 1 outlines a sample stock-bull diet to gain 0.75 of a condition score over the winter in a spring-calving herd.
Ideally, one of the best places for a stock bull over the winter months is outdoors in a dry well-sheltered paddock with a hardcore area for feeding.
However, where housing is necessary, the bull should have access to a well-bedded area, along with a clean concrete area for feeding on.
Stock bulls should not be carried over the winter on slats or in pens that are completely straw bedded.
Health checks
Some bulls are only facing into their breeding season now and, in split-calving herds, some are even facing a quick turn-around 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 concentrates, as well as a thorough health examination.
The examination includes checking:
Feet, legs and locomotion.Scrotum and testes – measuring scrotal circumference and looking for abnormalities.Body condition score – target 3.0-3.5.Ideally, a stock bull should be fertility tested to evaluate semen volume, density and motility, as well as any abnormalities.The final factor to be considered is vaccinating. Vaccinating your stock bull is just as important as vaccinating your entire herd of cows.
The main vaccinations to consider prior to breeding are vaccinations against Leptospirosis and BVD.
The off-season is also a good time to administer a wormer and fluke dose if necessary. Do not do this before breeding though.
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