AREA AG REPORT
Plan ahead and have your bull fertility tested this spring. Producers need to pay close attention to their herd sire. Remember, a cow that does not breed only loses the producer one calf, but an infertile bull could mean the loss of 20 to 30 calves — an economic disaster that few ranchers can afford.
Producers should normally have their herd sire’s fertility tested by a veterinarian 45 to 60 days before breeding season begins, but it is never too late. The cost and time of the testing is relatively cheap compared to a whole calf crop.
Many things can affect a bull’s fertility: nutrition, maturity, overuse, environmental conditions, sexually transmitted diseases and many others. Watch the estrus cycles of your cows. If you notice a cow coming into heat more than once, it might be the cow or could be your bull that has gone bad. Bulls can go bad during the middle of the breeding season. Producers should also have the bull in good physical shape before the breeding season begins.
If you need more information or clarification of any program, please call Brandon Cave at the Kent County Texas AgriLife Extension Office at (806) 237-3751 or Thomas Boyle at the Dickens County Texas AgriLife Extension Office at (806) 623-5552.
Educational programs conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin. Reference to commercial or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service is implied.
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