Disease Transmission.
     Unfortunately many producers buy mature bulls for breeding. This practice is always dangerous. There are several reproductive diseases that can be spread by the bull. Most cause abortion (death and expulsion of the fetus). Though some reproductive diseases are adequately prevented by vaccination of the cowherd, there are others that are much more difficult to prevent. One of these diseases is "trichomoniasis" or "trich." Protozoa carried by the bull cause trichomoniasis. Because of anatomical differences, older bulls are much more likely to carry the organism than younger bulls.

    As bulls age, small indentations occur in tissues on and around the penis. This is where the trichomoniasis organism resides in infected bulls. Because the organism is largely protected within these "crypts", they are difficult to find and culture. As a result, diagnosis of trichomoniasis in the bull is fairly difficult. Tests often result in false negatives. In other words, organisms are not cultured even though the bull is infected. When bulls transmit trichomoniasis to the herd, cows frequently abort. It is not uncommon to see 30-40% calf crops in trichomoniasis infected herds.

     Fortunately, good bull management largely prevents the occurrence of this disease. First, producers should always avoid buying bulls that have been bred to cows in other herds unless they are absolutely certain that the herd was clean. It is best to avoid buying mature bulls (those over two years of age) altogether. Producers who buy mature bulls at the sale barn for breeding are playing "Russian Roulette" with their herds. Cows carry the disease for relatively short periods (180 days).

     Because the disease is only transmitted during breeding, cows in herds with controlled calving seasons (less than 120 days) do not become "reservoirs" of disease organisms. This is yet another good reason for controlled, seasonal breeding and calving. If breeding and calving seasons are controlled (less than 120 days), if only virgin bulls are purchased, and if bulls are culled at 5-7 years of age, trichomoniasis can usually be avoided.

     The saying that a chain is no stronger than its weakest link is very applicable to beef cattle production. Bull management is one of the key links that needs to be fortified before other progress becomes possible.

     Current information about bull selection and management is not always readily available. Thus the reason for the accumulation of this information all in one place. We believ this report includes the latest and up to date bull selection management information available.

     See how much you can learn about bull selection and management when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don't miss out on the rest of this great information.

     For many cattle producers, this is a time of year when important decisions are made regarding the cow herd. Many producers begin to receive sale catalogs, view sale publications, and may be receiving calls from previous bull suppliers. It is important for producers to make sound judgments about their herd sires. A poor bull buying decision might leave a producer with a product they don’t need or don’t want in their herd. On the other hand, a good bull buying decision will increase the producer’s chances of having a more profitable calf crop.

Why is bull selection important?
     Bull selection, on average, has a greater impact on the genetic improvement of a herd than most producers realize. Because the sire is more likely to produce a higher number of calves in his lifetime compared to a cow, a sire has the potential to contribute a larger portion of the genes to the herd. Because of the large genetic contribution a sire makes to a herd of animals, it is important to manage the risk associated with the purchase of a new bull. Fortunately, the level of risk associated with the selection of a new bull is manageable using well planned breeding programs and high quality information.

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