Business : Spring Bull Management

With calving well underway, now is the time to focus some attention on your bull power.  When thinking about bull management, young bulls need to be separate from mature bulls.

Young bulls are still growing while we expect them to perform during their first breeding season.  This requires a little extra attention to nutrition programs.  If yearling bulls were purchased from a bull test, they were likely on a high concentrate ration and need to gradually be adjusted to a forage based ration prior to breeding season.   Yearling bulls should be a body condition score of 5.5 to 6.5 prior to turn out.  Bulls that are over or under condition at turn out are less likely to settle cows.  Most yearling bulls will continue to grow and maintain condition on a ration of about 12% crude protein and 65% TDN.  This can usually be met with a ration of medium quality hay and 6-10 pounds of concentrate.

Extra attention to management is also needed now to prepare for the breeding season.  If multiple bulls will be turned out together, it is important to let them establish their pecking order now rather than at turnout time.  This should help prevent injuries at breeding time.

Be sure to have your vet conduct a breeding soundness exam on every bull every year.  The bull is half of your herd, and a 21 day delay in conception costs you 35 pounds of calf at weaning time.  Late calves are more costly than lost calves because each bull is responsible for 20-30 cows that may be delayed or open.

Continue to monitor bulls daily during the breeding season to watch for injuries, lameness or other breeding problems.  An injured bull is not likely to settle cows either.

For more information on bull management contact your county Extension office or see the Iowa Beef Center publication at http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/Beef%20Cattle%20Handbook/Reproductive_Management-Bulls.pdf