Bull Management

Question 1

Yearling bull opportunities

Answer 1

Less time for injuries/death to occur, faster implement of new genetics into herd, lower development cost for seedstock producers

Question 2

Yearling bull challenges

Answer 2

Potentially over condition bull, imperfect rations may result in structural unsoundness, bulls often struggle to maintain condition when turned out on pasture

Question 3

Ways to manage bull body condition

Answer 3

Manage grazing, length of breeding season, respectful cow to bull ration, have a BCS of 6 before turnout

Question 4

What should the bull lot design do

Answer 4

Force exercise- put fee bunks, water in separate corners

Question 5

Most critical component to manage heat stress

Answer 5

Access to water

Question 6

How to manage bulls off season

Answer 6

Be mindful of parasite control, offer adequate nutrition for recovery, watch for scrotal frostbite in wintertime

Question 7

Three results of a breeding soundness exam

Answer 7

satisfactory, unsatisfactory, deferred

Question 8

What is evaluated in a breeding soundness exam

Answer 8

Semen quality (motility, morphology), scrotal circumference, reproductive anatomy, structural soundness, overall health

Question 9

What cannot be evaluated but should be taken into account

Answer 9

Libido and social dominance

Question 10

Conservative cow to bull ratio’s

Answer 10

Yearling- 15-20, mature- 25-60

Question 11

Yearling bull ages

Answer 11

14-17 months

Question 12

Mature bull ages

Answer 12

18-24 + months

Question 13

Shade structures can cause

Answer 13

Loafing

Question 14

How to stop loafing

Answer 14

Rotational movement of bulls into rested pastures with natural shade sources

Question 15

Serving capacity of bulls factors

Answer 15

Age, libido, pre weaning nutrition, development program

Question 16

Factors that contribute to how many calves are produced in multi sire pens

Answer 16

Age libido, serving capacity, fertility, dominance hierarchy

Question 17

Using estrus synchronization guidelines

Answer 17

Conservative bull to cow ratio, multi sire operation, avoid inexperienced bulls

Question 18

Pros and cons of single sires

Answer 18

All eggs in one basket, but less risk of bull injuries

Question 19

Pros and cons of multi sires

Answer 19

Less control over mating’s, calves are not sire identified unless tested