Herd sires need a little extra attention in the off season to insure productivity
No matter when an operation chooses to run its breeding season, at some point the herd sires’ work will be done and they will be brought out of the pastures. As producers bring in their bulls, there are some management protocols producers can implement to keep bulls in tip-top shape.
Evaluate Condition: When breeding season ends, it is a good time to evaluate the bull’s body condition score (BCS). Typically, bulls lose body weight and condition while they are in the pastures working. The stress of breeding season is particularly hard on younger bulls. “Younger bulls tend to lose a greater percentage of their body weight compared to older bulls,” David Hoffman, field specialist in livestock at the University of Missouri Extension, explained.
So more likely than not, bulls will need to put on some pounds when breeding season ends. But livestock specialists encourage producers to monitor their bulls’ rate of gain. “Bulls need to gain weight back at a moderate rate instead of quickly (like a feedlot animal). Younger bulls (2 years or less) are still growing and will require greater nutrition than an older bull to regain weight and condition,” Hoffman said. As bulls start to regain weight, watch their BCS closely to ensure they are not over conditioned prior to the next breeding season.
At this time producers will also want to evaluate the bull’s physical condition in regard to mobility issues or injuries. Producers will want to check the bull’s feet and legs and look for eye problems such as pinkeye.
Update Health Requirements: While the bull is out of the pasture, producers will want to take the opportunity to update the bull’s vaccinations and parasite control treatments. Livestock specialists suggest producers also have a breeding soundness exam (BSE) conducted on their bulls. This is especially important if there are several non-pregnant cows in the herd. The sooner producers find out the viability of a bull, the more time they have to find a replacement before the next breeding season.
If more than one bull runs in the same pastures, producers will want to take additional measures. “If comingling bulls, provide enough space in the lot and at the feed bunk. Bulls will try to establish their hierarchy with one another. Monitor and ensure that bulls do not injure themselves,” Hoffman advised.
Deciding on Replacement: If a bull fails his BSE, has an injury, calving issues, or lower performing calves, then producers will need to start looking for a replacement. “Replacing bulls is also dependent on the producers’ breeding objectives. Some producers replace bulls frequently to incorporate “new and improved” genetics into their program. Others replace bulls when they have replacement heifers that are daughters from their herd bull, whereas other producers try to get several breeding seasons from their bulls,” Hoffman explained.
Regardless of the reasons producers choose to replace a herd bull, livestock specialists advise producers to select a bull that offers the most genetic merit to their program and production system.
Overall, Hoffman encourages producers to manage the bull’s nutrition, health, and care appropriately during the offseason, to ensure greater success during the next breeding season.
