TexasJerseyMilker
Well-known member
If someone bands a bull calf and they missed one, can it still be fertile?
This is just a hypothetical question.
This is just a hypothetical question.
I really like those operators. I can buy those calves 50 cents back of what they would be worth if the job had been done properly. 5 minutes extra during induction has a really good hourly rate.There was an unfortunate trend around here for a few years. Guys would push up both testicles and band the scrotum off. Looks like a str, but the sure don't act like a str! Imagine a pen full of those screaming bastards in a feed lot when a hfr in the next pen comes in heat.
I've had guys tell me that they will be sterile because they can't lower their testicles away from their body and it's too hot the sperm can't survive. But I'm not sure I believe that.
This is why I really wonder about the idea that a bull's equipment has to be massive or it's not worth using him. Considering that a split straw of semen will yield a pregnancy it seems kind of overkill to be measuring testicles for size.I had a missed nut on a banded steer. His nut was completely inside so the vet said most likely he is sterile not worth it to do surgery...
Fast forward to shipping time and I had a few bred yearlings that were in with that steer. So we fertility tested that steer for grins and sure enough he didn't have the best swimmers but he had enough to get the job done.
Of course... if the one is normal, then it most likely is fertile... and some of them get randy at 5-6 months... 7 months in a jersey is VERY POSSIBLE... and some of the bull calves on beef cows have been able to sire calves.... know that for a fact... the "breeding bull" had been out for about 2+ months... wound up with 2 pregnant heifers once...many years ago... learned my lesson...Can a 7 month old one nutter sire a calf? Asking for a friend.
Much more likely it was/is retained than not there. I'd examine him or have him examined. If it is retained, and I suspect it is, that won't have a positive effect on his sale price here 'soon'.Don't want to hijack this but I help the neighbor with his cows and I try to band a day or so after birth. Caught one of his and could only find one ball. Didn't band him because of it. Worked cows a few months later and still only one ball. I banded his one but what are the chances he was only born with one? He will be sold soon so it really won't matter but that's the first time I could ever only get one at 3-4 months old.