Caring For Your Newly Purchased Bull
67
Whatever system your bull has been evaluated in, young
bulls do require an adjustment period prior to being used
for breeding.This is referred by some as a“hardening peri-
od.” Others refer to it as a “let down” period.
Young bulls, especially those of breeding age, do require
attention for continued growth and proper development.
Regardless if they are home raised or newly purchased,
proper feeding, care and management now will give your
bull the opportunity to continue growing and allow him
to develop into a sound and profitable herd sire.
Several management practices should be observed
when newly purchased bulls are brought home. These
practices can help ensure that each new bull has a long
and productive future with good productive perform-
ance.
• Have an area with fresh water and good quality hay to keep
the bull(s) in upon arrival, so they will have time to settle
down and become familiar with the surroundings.
• After allowing to drink water and eat hay, you may feed
additional energy at approximately 1 percent of body
weight.
• If you are planning to turn the bull(s) out with the cow herd
upon arrival, bring the herd to a holding area and allow the
bull(s) to return to the pasture with the herd.
• Avoid turning your newly purchased bull(s) in with an
older bull.We must reduce the chance of injury.
• Consider limiting the number of females you want
to settle during the breeding season to 20 the first
year.
• Avoid excessive loss of body condition before or during the
breeding season.You may want to rest him for 1 to 2 weeks
depending on the breeding activity of your herd. If neces-
sary, feed him additional energy if excessive loss in body
flesh condition is noticeable. Hay and/or pasture alone
will not provide sufficient nutrients to meet the require-
ments of young, growing, active bull(s).
• If there is one bull in the pasture, as he breeds the cows,
record the breeding date. Non-return to heat is a good indi-
cation your bull is settling the cows.
• Treat for internal parasites at the end of the breeding sea-
son. Provide effective external parasite control as needed.
• Remember, bulls are guaranteed by consignors to be breed-
ers only if they are managed correctly after the sale.
Young bulls should be limited to a minimum number of
cows to service.The number is decided by his age.The fol-
lowing guidelines can be used:
Bull’s Age .........................Number of Females
12 to 15 months ...................10 to 12
15 to 18 months ...................12 to 18
18 to 24 months ...................18 to 25
24 months and older ..........25 to 35
Place young bulls in well fenced lots before and after
breeding season to keep bulls away from cows in heat.
There should be shade and plenty of clean water in each
lot. Provide free-choice minerals and routinely treat for
parasites.
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