Bulls - Winter's Forgotten Animal

Breeding success depends on the reproductive health of both the cow and the bull. But, because a bull is expected to service various numbers of cows, the potential fertility of the bull is extremely important.



Cattle producers consider many factors when making the decision of which bull to turn out with the cows. What genetic and physical improvements need to be made? What sire breed would best complement my cow base? How many bulls are needed to correctly cover my cows? These are all relevant questions that need to be answered as we approach the spring breeding season. Nonetheless, without a proper Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE), these decisions may not matter. The greatest bull with bad semen will not produce calves. So, consider a BSE insurance for your breeding season.



“It is essential to evaluate bulls every year before breeding starts because the fertility of an individual animal can vary from year to year. The breeding soundness exam should be performed 30 to 60 days before the start of breeding season. It is important to allow sufficient time to replace questionable bulls,” said Buzz Iliff, veterinarian with the Wyoming Vet Clinic. “This will also allow enough time for stressed animals to recover and to be tested again before beginning the breeding season.”

According to Buzz, the stress of the harsh winter could have an affect on a bull’s fertility, especially with the increased potential of frostbite to a bull’s testicles. Consulting your veterinarian to conduct a BSE will include a semen check, which can determine semen quality and fertility.

The physical examination of a BSE includes evaluating body condition, feet and leg structure and the general health of the individual bull. The external evaluation of the reproductive tract includes evaluation of the testes, spermatic cords and epididymis. Scrotal circumference is an important measure since it is directly related to the total mass of sperm-producing tissue, sperm cell normality and the onset of puberty in the bull and his female offspring.

Weight and body condition are important factors in whether a bull will be a good breeder. He needs to be in proper fitness condition to be athletic and have the endurance to breed cows.



It's important to remember that a fat bull is not as athletically fit and is just as likely to hurt himself and have issues covering cows as a bull that is too thin. When we talk about body condition scores, a body score 5 to 6 (with 1 being emaciated and 9 being obese) is fine for a bull. A BCS 5 bull isn't particularly pretty, but he is going to settle more cows than the fat bull.

Throughout the breeding season, managers need to observe and address health issues and physical problems that may arise, and manage the hierarchy of social dominance among the bulls. This is true if your herd has two bulls or 20 bulls. There's no substitute for knowing your bulls and closely monitoring them to see what's actually happening in the pasture.

"It is very important to continually assess these interactions and adjust things if necessary - move bulls, rest bulls or whatever is needed to make sure the cows get bred," Buzz said.

FREE BQA Certification for Producers

Are you doing your part for the beef industry by earning your BQA certification? Well, if you aren’t certified, have we got a deal for you!

For a second year, your checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program is giving you the chance to become certified for free thanks to a partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) and the Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) housed at Kansas State University. The cost of BQA certification is normally $25 to $50; however, from Feb. 3, through April 15, 2014, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) will defray the cost of the certification or recertification, making it free. Visit www.bqa.org/team or www.BIVI-BQA.com to get started.

“BQA provides cattlemen with practical management tools they need to produce safe, high-quality beef for our consumers, says Ryan Ruppert, senior director of Beef Quality Assurance. “BQA also helps discover practices which can improve efficiency and ultimately, profitability.”

The BQA online programs are customized for cow/calf, stocker, feedlot and dairy operations. Developed and managed by the independent Beef Cattle Institute, these easy-to-use modules teach sound management techniques that can be applied to their operations. They also help cattle operations tell their story to consumers who might not understand all of the safety measures cattlemen take in producing the food on the table.

Beef Quality Assurance Workshops Scheduled

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) sessions will be held throughout Illinois 
in November and December. These sessions will provide beef producers up-to-date standards and technologies to improve animal welfare and beef quality. 

Meeting dates and locations include: 

Nov. 21 – 6 p.m., American Legion, Lincoln 
Dec. 3 – 6 p.m., Lost in Time, Fairbury 
Dec. 10 – 6 p.m., Head Farms, Blue Mound 

“The Illinois BQA program is a proven education system that teaches sensible management practices that help improve the quality and safety of beef,” said Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension beef specialist. “It clearly demonstrates how a producer’s actions on the farm have a huge impact on the final beef product.” 

Beef Quality Assurance is a national program that hopes to raise consumer confidence through offering proper management education and guidelines for the beef industry. 

A $25 fee includes the cost of a meal and training materials. Pre-registration is encouraged. Attendees should RSVP to Shelia Stannard at shelia@illinoisbeef.com or 217-787-4280. 

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Becomes Sponsoring Partner for BQA Certification

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is pleased to announce that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is partnering with the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, and will be sponsoring the cost of BQA certification for American cattlemen and cattlewomen this spring.

The cost of BQA certification is normally $25-$50; however, between Feb. 11, 2013 and March 15, 2013, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. will defray the cost of the certification, making it free for producers.

“BQA provides cattlemen with the tools they need to produce the safest, highest quality beef in the world while also looking at ways to make their operations more efficient and productive,” said BQA Senior Director Ryan Ruppert.

Ruppert notes that BQA is the gold standard of livestock handling and animal welfare programs, and that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.’s support of BQA certification demonstrates the company’s commitment to improving the industry and telling consumers about the sound production practices most cattlemen use every day. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. has also placed emphasis on managing herd health before problems arise to prevent issues and keep operations running efficiently.

The BQA has customized programs specific to cow/calf, stocker, feedlot or dairy operations. These easy to use modules teach sound management techniques they can apply to their operation. The cattle industry has embraced BQA because it is the right thing to do; but certified producers also report improvements in efficiency and increased profitability. It also helps cattle operations tell their story to consumers who might not understand all of the safety measures cattlemen take in producing the food on the table.

"We're proud to partner with BQA to bring this important certification program to more American cattlemen and dairy producers," said David Korbelik, director of cattle marketing for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. "Much like our Prevention Works approach to animal health, BQA is about monitoring and making incremental improvements throughout the life cycle to prevent disease and ensure a quality end product. We will also be working with the BQA to allow access to the training and certification program for animal health and veterinary students.”

Those interested in taking advantage of this BQA certification opportunity can go to www.BIVI-BQA.com. “It’s clear that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is committed to helping consumers understand that beef is produced in a safe and humane manner,” said Ruppert. “This partnership will help producers learn about the latest industry advancements and demonstrate the ways they continue to provide a top-quality food product.”

For more information on the BQA program visit www.BQA.org. To complete the BQA certification process, visit www.BQA.org/team.

To learn more about the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Prevention Works program, visitwww.bivipreventionworks.com. To learn more about Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. visitwww.bi-vetmedica.com/cattle.

BQA Update

59 people attended the BQA meeting last night in Freeport! If you haven't had a chance to attend a BQA training and certification it's not too late. Mark your calendar for Thursday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. 
for the BQA meeting in Greenville, Ill., to be held at Cunetto's Restaurant hosted by Greenville Livestock Auction, Inc.

Attend BQA meetings

Mark your calendar to attend upcoming Beef Quality Assurance meetings. Beef producers can receive training to help learn best practices in cattle management.

Sauk Valley Community College and the Milledgeville Veterinary Clinic will host a BQA training and certification seminar Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m., at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon. Travis Meteer and Dr. Jeff Waite are the instructors for the evening and a meal catered by SVCC will be provided. To RSVP contact Cimeron Frost cimeroncf@aol.com or 217-787-4280.

The Illinois Beef Association, Carthage Livestock, and Lowderman Cattle Company are sponsoring a BQA training and certification seminar Thursday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m., at Lowderman Auction Center in Macomb. Travis Meteer, Buzz Illiff, and Trevor Toland will serve as instructors and ribeye sandwiches will be provided by the Tri-County Cattlemen. And don't forget to bring your semen tank! Genex and Select Sires representatives are offering semen specials on site. To RSVP contact Cimeron Frost cimeroncf@aol.com or 217-787-4280.