Bull Management After the Sale

In the future, biosecurity and livestock stewardship likely will become more important as the pressures of efficient production, food safety and quality, and international trade concerns increase. The first step in a biosecurity program is knowing where your seedstock come from and to what they have been exposed. If purchasing bulls from an unknown source, increased biosecurity measures will be necessary.

The cost effectiveness of biosecurity measures should be considered carefully and discussed with a veterinarian. The risk of introducing disease, the cost of the disease once it is introduced into a herd, the cost of the biosecurity measures and the amount of risk producers are willing to live with will determine the biosecurity measures that livestock producers utilize for their operation. As time goes on, biosecurity likely will become more important as food safety and quality, international trade concerns and efficient production pressures increase.

Quarantining incoming cattle is one management practice that may decrease the likelihood of certain diseases being introduced to the herd. Quarantining means keeping incoming cattle separate from the established herd for a period of time.

The quarantine area should be set up so new arrivals are at least 6 feet apart from other animals and do not share feed or water with the established herd. Ideally, new bulls should be quarantined for 30 days, with two weeks being the minimum.

Testing of purchased cattle can be useful in decreasing the risk of introducing disease into a herd. Remember that disease testing is not 100% effective, and the sensitivity and specificity of the test should be considered when testing potential animals for addition to your herd.

Vaccination of the resident herd and purchased animals is another way to manage the risk of mixing cattle. Vaccination is the most common way veterinarians and producers have attempted to manage some biosecurity risks, such as IBR and BVDV.

However, the effectiveness of vaccines should be evaluated with a veterinarian, and vaccination should not be considered the only or even the primary means of decreasing disease risk. Even under optimal conditions, not all cattle will respond to vaccination, nor will all that respond to vaccination be protected from infection.

Sanitation involves protecting herds from exposure to infectious agents. Sanitation practices may involve requiring all visitors, including veterinarians, nutritionists, milk inspectors, artificial insemination techs and other service personnel, to wear clean boots and coveralls. A clean footbath and brush should be provided for visitors to disinfect their boots.

Body Condition and Breeding Soundness

• Bulls should have a body condition score (BCS) of 5.5 to 6.5 prior to breeding
  • BCS on a scale from 1 to 9:
    • Score 5 - moderate
    • Score 6 - high moderate
• Examine bull prior to turnout for:
  • Soundness – check feet and legs, and vision in both eyes
  • Reproductive soundness
    • Breeding soundness and physical exam should be conducted by veterinarian
      • Semen testing
      • Scrotal circumference
      • Visual exam of reproductive anatomy
      • Rectal palpation of accessory sex glands
      • Visual examination of feet, legs and eyes

Parasite and Infectious Disease Management

• Deworming for internal and treatment for external parasites
• Vaccinations
  • Consult your veterinarian for vaccine recommendations

Records

• Keep up-to-date records on all bulls to allow for quick evaluation of potential issues that may occur
  • Records to obtain for purchased bulls:
    • Health
      • Test results, BSE, Trich, BVD
      • Vaccination
      • EID, if any
      • Deworming products used
      • Pedigree or registration number
      • Expected progeny differences
      • DNA (if available) including genetic defect carrier status, parentage (if applicable)
    • Feed records
      • Type of diet
      • Nutritional analysis