Due to the postponement and cancellation of a number of major breed sales, there is going to be an increase in the number of on-farm sales. No matter what happens, the cows needs to be put in-calf.
It may even transpire that we will see an increased demand for young bulls given some farmers’ reluctance to allow people such as AI technicians on farm, instead using a stock bull.
Despite being in such uncertain times, we need to plan to make next year, when hopefully we’ll be out the other end, as problem-free as possible. This means getting the cow in-calf and back calving within 365 days.
If we take a laid-back approach to breeding this year, it has the potential to affect our breeding programmes for many years to come.
Below is a short guide as to what the buyer should be looking out for when choosing a bull. Farm visits to see the bulls are acceptable, but please remember to maintain social distancing. Please also refrain from going into houses. Talk at a distance in fresh air.
1 Go and look for a bull now. Bulls need some time to acclimatise to new surroundings by being left off with the cows or heifers.
2 Ask herd health questions. What vaccines (if any) have been given? When were they given? Does the herd have a BVD, IBR, Johne’s management programme in place? Is there any certification of such? Bulls exposed to certain diseases also risk the chance of going infertile for a brief period. Where a bull is tested clear but not vaccinated prior to purchase, a similar vaccination programme to that of the purchaser’s herd should be carried out before introduction to the new herd. If buying more than one bull, it’s best to try to buy all from the same yard. This minimises the chance of introducing new diseases to your herd.
Ensure fertility tests are undertaken by a vet as these also test mouths, eyes and the general health of the bull.
3 Know what you want in a bull. Before looking at any bulls, you need to know the market for which you want that bull’s calves. This will allow the farmer to then identify the traits necessary to fill this market. It is very hard to find a bull to tick all the boxes. Fertility and milk should be priority if heifers are retained, whereas this can be relaxed and terminal traits looked at if breeding animals for slaughter.
4 Feet and legs. If possible, ask to see the bull walking on concrete. This will allow for you to see if the bull is functionally correct. It will also allow you see if the bull has been pared or needs to be lifted. Bulls showing feet problems at a young age should be avoided.
If possible ask to see the bull walking on concrete. This will allow for you to see if the bull is functionally correct. \ Philip Doyle
5 Indices. Again, this is why it’s essential for the farmer to know his market. A farmer who is killing all progeny should pass no heed to the replacement index, but instead focus on the terminal index. It must be emphasised that the indices are just a tool and should be used alongside selecting for phenotypic traits and pedigree. For those in the BDGP, it is a requirement to have a genotyped four- and five-star bull on the terminal or replacement index by 30 June 2020, so it’s worth bearing this in mind.
6 Ask to see the dam. One of the biggest positives of buying off farm is that if it’s from a breeder, you may have the option to see the dam or other relations, siblings, sire, etc. Asking to see the dam could prove that the bull was born on farm. When possible, bulls should be bought from breeders. This minimises the chance of bulls from numerous herds mixing, which could lead to an increased chance of disease spread.
7 Is the bull fertility-tested? Breeders will generally stand over a bull, but some use a fertility test to give reassurance to both breeder and purchaser. If they do have a fertility test done, ensure that it is undertaken by a vet. A vet tests for more than fertility, as they also do an animal health test, examining the bull’s eyes and mouth, along with checking for any warts.
8 The cost of the bull. Don’t let the cost of the bull be the main determining factor when selecting one. You are purchasing a bull which will hopefully last a few years. The difference of €500 is very little added to each calf if you get 100 calves out of the bull. Remember, one top-producing cow will achieve a superior price on one calf, whereas a top-performing bull will produce an increased price on all calves. Where a bull has the ability to add significant profit to your enterprise, it makes sense to invest at the time purchase to obtain the best possible bull for your herd.
9 It’s important to take your time when selecting a stock bull, as it could be your best or worst purchase of the year.
10 Delivery of the bull. Remember a bull can pick up disease during transport. So collect in a clean box or get the breeder to deliver the bull to minimise this risk.
11 Ideally, a bull should be quarantined on arrival. This will allow him an acclimatisation period to his new surroundings and also allow the breeder to reduce the amount of feed the bull was getting pre-purchase to get him in a fit condition. Bulls should be tested in quarantine in line with the buyer’s herd health regime.
12 Introduce to work gradually. This is important, particularly in young bulls. Start by introducing the young bull to small numbers and increasing gradually. A bull, particularly in its first year, should not be over worked. A general rule of thumb is one bull can service as many cows as he is months old. For example, a 15-month-old bull should service a maximum of 15 cows, a 20-month-old bull should service a maximum of 20 cows, etc. Fifty cows should be the maximum number for a mature bull.
Due to the postponement and cancellation of a number of major breed sales, there is going to be an increase in the number of on-farm sales. No matter what happens, the cows needs to be put in-calf.
It may even transpire that we will see an increased demand for young bulls given some farmers’ reluctance to allow people such as AI technicians on farm, instead using a stock bull.
Despite being in such uncertain times, we need to plan to make next year, when hopefully we’ll be out the other end, as problem-free as possible. This means getting the cow in-calf and back calving within 365 days.
If we take a laid-back approach to breeding this year, it has the potential to affect our breeding programmes for many years to come.
Below is a short guide as to what the buyer should be looking out for when choosing a bull. Farm visits to see the bulls are acceptable, but please remember to maintain social distancing. Please also refrain from going into houses. Talk at a distance in fresh air.
1 Go and look for a bull now. Bulls need some time to acclimatise to new surroundings by being left off with the cows or heifers.
2 Ask herd health questions. What vaccines (if any) have been given? When were they given? Does the herd have a BVD, IBR, Johne’s management programme in place? Is there any certification of such? Bulls exposed to certain diseases also risk the chance of going infertile for a brief period. Where a bull is tested clear but not vaccinated prior to purchase, a similar vaccination programme to that of the purchaser’s herd should be carried out before introduction to the new herd. If buying more than one bull, it’s best to try to buy all from the same yard. This minimises the chance of introducing new diseases to your herd.
Ensure fertility tests are undertaken by a vet as these also test mouths, eyes and the general health of the bull.
3 Know what you want in a bull. Before looking at any bulls, you need to know the market for which you want that bull’s calves. This will allow the farmer to then identify the traits necessary to fill this market. It is very hard to find a bull to tick all the boxes. Fertility and milk should be priority if heifers are retained, whereas this can be relaxed and terminal traits looked at if breeding animals for slaughter.
4 Feet and legs. If possible, ask to see the bull walking on concrete. This will allow for you to see if the bull is functionally correct. It will also allow you see if the bull has been pared or needs to be lifted. Bulls showing feet problems at a young age should be avoided.
If possible ask to see the bull walking on concrete. This will allow for you to see if the bull is functionally correct. \ Philip Doyle
5 Indices. Again, this is why it’s essential for the farmer to know his market. A farmer who is killing all progeny should pass no heed to the replacement index, but instead focus on the terminal index. It must be emphasised that the indices are just a tool and should be used alongside selecting for phenotypic traits and pedigree. For those in the BDGP, it is a requirement to have a genotyped four- and five-star bull on the terminal or replacement index by 30 June 2020, so it’s worth bearing this in mind.
6 Ask to see the dam. One of the biggest positives of buying off farm is that if it’s from a breeder, you may have the option to see the dam or other relations, siblings, sire, etc. Asking to see the dam could prove that the bull was born on farm. When possible, bulls should be bought from breeders. This minimises the chance of bulls from numerous herds mixing, which could lead to an increased chance of disease spread.
7 Is the bull fertility-tested? Breeders will generally stand over a bull, but some use a fertility test to give reassurance to both breeder and purchaser. If they do have a fertility test done, ensure that it is undertaken by a vet. A vet tests for more than fertility, as they also do an animal health test, examining the bull’s eyes and mouth, along with checking for any warts.
8 The cost of the bull. Don’t let the cost of the bull be the main determining factor when selecting one. You are purchasing a bull which will hopefully last a few years. The difference of €500 is very little added to each calf if you get 100 calves out of the bull. Remember, one top-producing cow will achieve a superior price on one calf, whereas a top-performing bull will produce an increased price on all calves. Where a bull has the ability to add significant profit to your enterprise, it makes sense to invest at the time purchase to obtain the best possible bull for your herd.
9 It’s important to take your time when selecting a stock bull, as it could be your best or worst purchase of the year.
10 Delivery of the bull. Remember a bull can pick up disease during transport. So collect in a clean box or get the breeder to deliver the bull to minimise this risk.
11 Ideally, a bull should be quarantined on arrival. This will allow him an acclimatisation period to his new surroundings and also allow the breeder to reduce the amount of feed the bull was getting pre-purchase to get him in a fit condition. Bulls should be tested in quarantine in line with the buyer’s herd health regime.
12 Introduce to work gradually. This is important, particularly in young bulls. Start by introducing the young bull to small numbers and increasing gradually. A bull, particularly in its first year, should not be over worked. A general rule of thumb is one bull can service as many cows as he is months old. For example, a 15-month-old bull should service a maximum of 15 cows, a 20-month-old bull should service a maximum of 20 cows, etc. Fifty cows should be the maximum number for a mature bull.
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