Should I switch bulls?
- Thread starter Sotex
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BC
Well-known member
12 -13 months is a little young to breed to more than a handful. Was he fertility checked before you turned him out?
farmerjan
Well-known member
We never use a bull before 15 months and most are 18 months, before they see a cow... Then we won't put more than 10-15 at most with them first breeding season...
Second the question that @BC asked; was he fertility tested before you bought him? And yes, if you have another bull, pull this one and put another in there ASAP if you want calves in the late spring/early summer..... I don't know when you want cows calving there.
Doesn't look very "masculine" in the neck and top line for 17-18 months now...
Second the question that @BC asked; was he fertility tested before you bought him? And yes, if you have another bull, pull this one and put another in there ASAP if you want calves in the late spring/early summer..... I don't know when you want cows calving there.
Doesn't look very "masculine" in the neck and top line for 17-18 months now...
Sotex
Active member
He was not tested. I turned him out in June with 5 cows and a heifer.
Travlr
Well-known member
What does "appears" mean? Have your cows been preg checked by someone that knows what they are doing?
As others have asked, did you have the bull tested? Have you noticed cows in heat and is he following them around? Have you seen him mount a cow? How many cows are you expecting him to breed?
I've had very good luck with young bulls and have used them on more cows than most people think they are capable of covering. But #1... they need to be interested in cows. And #2... they need to be fertile. It isn't hard to get a bull that will breed cows but when you find one that won't... he's down the road.
Sotex
Active member
He's been mounting cows since I turned him out. I had 2 palpated by a vet on Friday (both open). Saw him mount another one this evening and she stood for him.
Should have got the vet to to BSE him while he/she was out there. I am guessing though, he won't pass., if he hasn't bred one since March.
farmerjan
Well-known member
Okay, not asking too much of him with only 6 head to breed. Not been tested, so no idea if he is "good"... we didn't always used to check ours but we do now.
Are you seeing heats on the cows now? Riding each other? Is he acting like he is interested? He seems to have a decent set of testicles from the picture but looks aren't everything.
On top of that, what about your temperature there? You know that they might not be as fertile in the heat, or as active, many times... I am very concerned about our fertility rate here since we were ABNORMALLY HOT and dry in June, and nights did not cool off like they normally do.... and no rain, so nothing to cool them off either.
Without having him checked, it is strictly guessing on anyone's part as to what you should do.
And, another thing, Reproductive diseases in cattle are a real thing... Lepto is a big problem here, Trich and so many other things... they could be settling and then going through an abortion at 30+ days.... BUT until you get him checked to find out if he is the problem, it is pure speculation on anyone's part.
farmerjan
Well-known member
Totally agree, vet should have done a BSE on him...... if he is shooting blanks you need to know....
What is your vaccination protocol? We do not do near as much vaccinating as some, but there are some basics... if one cow has something transmissible, then he can carry it to the rest... but maybe he has something that you can't "see"....
You turned him out in June? Like June 1 or June 20th?
This is Aug 19. Did the vet palp them by hand?
I would definitely run the bull in to be tested but it seems a bit early to be deciding a young, virgin bulls fate.
Travlr
Well-known member
He's not a virgin by now...
chevytaHOE5674
Well-known member
Blood test cows to be sure. Seen more than 1 "expert" call an early bred cow open...
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Sotex
Active member
Update: Had him tested and vet said he was no good. Now I need to find another bull. If anyone knows where I can get one (preferably Hereford or Brangus) within an hour of Stockdale, Tx. Please PM me some contact info.
chaded
Well-known member
I put 12-13 month old angus bulls on 10-12 cows and they have never had an issue with them breeding and settling them. But, they get a BSE and pass it or I don't buy them.
Good eye. You saved yourself a lot of down time.
Didn't I send you a reputable place to buy bulls several months back when you were originally looking? They don't let a bull leave until they pass a fert test and they come with a warranty.
Didn't I send you a reputable place to buy bulls several months back when you were originally looking? They don't let a bull leave until they pass a fert test and they come with a warranty.
Sotex
Active member
Seems like you did. I:ll look back and see if I can find it.
I PMed you so you don't have to dig.
EasTex
Well-known member
Is there a minimum age on getting a BSE done on a young bull?
Ky hills
Well-known member
I believe at this point the best thing to do would be to have a bse on the bull.
If the cows are showing signs of coming in heat regularly and repeatedly that would be a cause for concern. It might be a bit soon to have them preg checked at this point, but could before long depending on when during the the month of June the bull was turned in. If a BSE is done in the bull and he doesn't check out good then not much need to check the cows.
We frequently have turned out bulls at a year old with a few head and got cows and heifers breed. It depends on the bull and certainly now I'm a believer in having bulls tested before turn out regardless of age.
When I was raising bulls, the last year I had 4 checked 3 were good and 1 was not. It happens and would never have known it in time had he not been tested.
If the cows are showing signs of coming in heat regularly and repeatedly that would be a cause for concern. It might be a bit soon to have them preg checked at this point, but could before long depending on when during the the month of June the bull was turned in. If a BSE is done in the bull and he doesn't check out good then not much need to check the cows.
We frequently have turned out bulls at a year old with a few head and got cows and heifers breed. It depends on the bull and certainly now I'm a believer in having bulls tested before turn out regardless of age.
When I was raising bulls, the last year I had 4 checked 3 were good and 1 was not. It happens and would never have known it in time had he not been tested.
