Breeding bulls can remain fertile with high quality semen for ten plus years. However, breeding bulls may exhibit infertility at any age. Low fertility can be caused by a number of factors including, frost damaged testicles, testicular infection, poor nutrition, physical injury and genetic predisposition.
How long can you use a bull to breed?
The breeding ability of bulls usually is at its peak about 36 months of age, and it declines after 5 or 6 years of age. An extra calf crop can be sired by using bulls as yearlings.
How long can you use an Angus bull?
Bulls can remain in service until they are 10 or 12 years of age. However, this is not the norm and usually remain in the herd for 4 to 5 years. Many do not last nearly that long due to hoof problems, structural problems, fertility issues, or injuries.
How old can a bull start breeding?
Some early maturing breeds will reach puberty at 12-14 months whereas later maturing continental breeds may be 16 months before they reach puberty. A vet carrying out a fertility test will also physically examine the bull to make sure he is fit for breeding.
How often should you change your bull?
First, you can replace your bull every third year (use him for only two consecutive breeding seasons). This is usually not a very popular choice, but it is a necessary one if you plan to keep replacement heifers from within your herd.
Can you breed a bull back to his daughter?
You can have father-daughter matings in beef cattle, but it is not recommended. This type of breeding practice is called inbreeding or close breeding. Again, this breeding practice is rarely practiced today, although it was common in the foundation animals of most breeds.
How much is a breeding bull worth?
One is that a bull should be worth two-and-a-half times a finished steer. At today’s market, the steer is worth almost $2,000, so a bull would be worth $5,000. Another thumb rule says a bull is worth five times the price of a steer calf. Do that math, and you arrive at about the same number for the bull: $5,000.
What is the best age to butcher a bull?
Prime. Slaughter steers and heifers 30 to 42 months of age possessing the minimum qualifications for Prime have a fat covering over the crops, back, ribs, loin, and rump that tends to be thick. The brisket, flanks, and cod or udder appear full and distended and the muscling is very firm.
What age should you cull bulls?
Bulls can be culled around age five, when they still have useful, productive breeding years ahead of them, in order to command a higher price from a smaller cow-calf producer. This also ensures that the bulls won’t grow too large to service heifers, which are smaller-framed than full-grown cows.
Is it worth keeping a bull?
It is not advisable to keep a bull alone, so always have a breeding female or some steer calves with him for company. A lonely, bored bull will become destructive and challenge the most sturdy, well planned fencing, especially if there are other bovines on the property that he can see or hear.
How old does a Black Angus bull have to be to breed?
About three weeks before reaching puberty, male calves begin showing interest in the opposite sex. However, just because the bull is capable of breeding before reaching his first birthday doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Bulls aged 2 years and up have increased fertility.
How many cows can 1 bull breed?
Length of Breeding Season
Mature bulls can breed up to 40 cows during a 60- to 90-day breeding period and sire a high percentage of these calves in the first 40 days of the calving season. If cows are run in large groups, two bulls that are the same age and breed could run with 80 cows.
How many times can a bull reproduce?
One rule of thumb is that a bull can service about as many cows as his age in months. Therefore, a 15-month-old bull should be able to service approximately 15 cows in a typical 60-day breeding season.
Can you put 2 bulls together?
Never put one new bull with an established group, or that bull will get picked on. It’s better to add several newcomers at once to spread the fighting, so no one individual has to bear the brunt of it. Putting horned bulls together in small areas can be risky. If a bull gets cornered, he can get hurt.
How can you tell a good bull?
Bulls should look masculine and be thickest through the middle of their hindquarters when viewed from the rear. A strong, wide, flat back is an indicator of good muscling. Bulls with wide shoulders are not necessarily muscular, but circumference of the upper forearm is a good indicator of muscling.
Can you keep a bull with cows year round?
The good news is: It is possible to leave bulls with the cows year-round and still maintain a calving season of three months or less.
What is the best bull to put on heifers?
A true heifer bull will have calving ease EPDs well above breed average. However, in most cases, bulls within maternal-based breeds such as Angus, with only moderately high calving ease EPDs are suitable to use on well-developed heifers within continental breeds such as Simmental.
Can a bull breed with his granddaughter?
What are the do’s and don’ts of breeding a bull to his daughter, mother, granddaughter, or sister? Mating any of the above would result in a high level of inbreeding. Generally speaking, inbreeding of this nature should be avoided.
Will a bull mate with the same cow more than once?
Usually a bull will mate with a cow once, but it’s not uncommon if it’s done several times, especially if she has garnered the attention of more than one.
Are Breeding bulls profitable?
Raising bucking bulls isn’t just a pleasure, it can be very profitable. Simpson said a beef or dairy heifer may sell for $500 to $700 but a heifer or weanling bull from a line of proven buckers can go for double and even triple that.
What is an Angus bull worth?
To put the record price in some perspective, good quality bulls on the open market typically sell for between $5,000 and $8,000. The bidding for Cowboy Up started at $25,000 and quickly spiked above the $100,000 mark.