Management of Bulls

Arrival of Your New Bull

Please bear in mind, when working bulls through the yards handle them with care. Preferably work them with other cattle and do not use force. Bulls can become upset and excited in the sale and delivery process. They are subjected to strange yards, different noises, loss of their mates, different people, different handling methods, trucking, unloading, new paddocks and different water and feed. This can upset animals, which are normally very quiet.

When the bull arrives home, unload him at the yards into a group of house cows, steers or herd cows. Never jump the bull from the back of a truck into a paddock. Bulls from different origins should be put into separate yards with other cattle, steers or cows, for company. Provide hay and water, and then leave the bull alone until the next day.

All bulls should be drenched for worms every six months with a dectin drench. In addition they may need a drench for fluke if necessary and to be treated for lice.

The following annual vaccinations are recommended: 

  • 7-in-1 vaccine annually.
  • Vibriosis vaccine annually.
  • Pestiguard vaccination annually.

Give particular attention to preventing new bulls bringing vibriosis into a herd. Vibriosis is a sexually transmitted disease that causes infertility and abortions and is most commonly introduced to a clean herd by an infected bull. Vaccinated bulls are free from vibriosis so vaccinating bulls against the disease should be routine practice. All Alpine Angus bulls are vaccinated.

Mating Bulls

For an efficient production system we recommend a 6–8 week joining season. Newly purchased young bulls should not be multiple joined with older herd bulls. They will not be allowed to work much and in keeping them away from the cows, the older, dominant bull will knock them around.

Use new bulls in either single sire groups or with other young bulls their own age. If a number of young bulls are to be used together, run them together for a few weeks before joining starts. They sort out their pecking order quickly and have few problems later.

Ensure all bulls used are in good condition prior to working – condition score 3 is ideal. Remember bulls that are too light or heavy in condition may have problems with libido and semen production. Yearling bulls are still growing strongly, so tend to be leaner, carrying less body fat reserves. The condition of the yearling bulls is critical. If they drop below condition score 3, sperm production may be impaired. Service Ability Testing is recommended on all bulls prior to joining. All working bulls should be tested or checked before joining for physical soundness, testical tone and serving ability. All bulls to be used must be free moving, active and in good store condition. Bulls may need supplementary feeding before the joining season to bring them up to condition score 3.

The Australian Association of Cattle Veterinarians (AACV) defines a normal, fertile bull as ‘expected to get 90% of 50 normal, cycling, disease free females pregnant within 9 weeks, and 60% of these should become pregnant in the first three weeks of joining’. This expectation would apply to 2-year-old bulls, but not to younger bulls.

During Mating

Whilst generally all goes to plan we believe a proactive approach is best to ensure you get the best result. We strongly recommend that you keep a close eye on the bulls if possible when joining. Even though we have performed a service ability test and had your bulls independently structurally assessed bulls are animals and things can still go wrong. Check bulls at least twice each week during joining. Get up close to them and see each bull walk; check for swellings around the sheath and for lameness. Watch them work if possible. A significant number of cows or heifers bulling after 6 weeks of joining may indicate there is a problem. Young bulls are particularly vulnerable in their first season.

Common problems that can occur are:

  • They may not have built up immunity to IBR (the cattle form of herpes – making it painful to insert the penis).
  • Or may be more prone to a fever event through the stress of working, new surroundings and establishing their ranking with other bulls. This can render them temporarily infertile for a six week period.
  • Problems such as warts on the penis will mean that the bull will need to be attended to.
  • Pay particular attention to any sign of abnormal serving problems like ‘corkscrew penis’.