Management
a booster vaccine. Vaccination
should be repeated yearly.
The specialists suggest that
to reduce the risk of bulls
getting injured while fighting,
producers should consider
introducing a minimum number
of bulls to service the group of
cows at the start of breeding
season and replacing them
with new, fresh bulls two to
three weeks later instead of
putting three to four bulls
with 75 cows at the beginning
of the breeding season.
“Basically, this is sending in the
reserve team when the first
bulls get played out and tired,”
Hoppe says. “The thought is
that two bulls working 75 cows
don’t have time to fight and
will need a rest in two weeks.”
The specialists also
recommend producers:
• Watch for penile injuries
such as a laceration to the
prepuce. Bulls may
recover from a simple
laceration, but rest and
bandaging are necessary.
Another issue is a
“broken” penis. That’s
when blood leaks into
damaged tissue and an
erection is not possible;
it usually ends a bull’s
breeding career.
• Be on the lookout for
bulls that don’t complete
the breeding act.
•
Administer fly control
insecticide on the bull to
provide relief from biting
flies. A bull bothered
by flies may not be
diligent at breeding.
“While we are busy haying and
harvesting, don’t forget the
bulls,” Hoppe says. “It is better
to catch the problem early
than be totally surprised at
pregnancy testing time.” I
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14 | SEPTEMBER 2018