By sarvika
Recommendations for the introduction and management of your new bull:
1. UPON ARRIVAL:
HVC production & breeding a) Ensure your new bulls socialises with a group of animals, (anything except other bulls) in the yards, when they arrive.
b) Run the new bulls with a small group of empty females, (he has come from a different herd and may not have had exposure to some of the normal pathogens present in your herd - see further information below).
This MUST be done with the empty females, for a period of 2 to 4 weeks. Ideally the bull can then be rested for 6-8 weeks prior to joining.
Ideally give the cows prostaglandin every 2 weeks so they continue to cycle. c) Ideally bulls should be insured for their first year as standard.
2. PRE-JOINING:
a) We recommend a breeding soundness examination (BSE), including structural assessment, testicular palpation, service ability testing and semen testing (essential in single sire matings). This is mandatory for second joining and older bulls each year. It will improve the fertility performance of the herd, by removing infertile bulls from the joining group. If bulls are not service tested it is essential that you observe the bulls serve in the first week on joining.
These bulls will be given a risk rating and mating potential which will influence joining bull teams.
b) Keep vaccinations up to date; Vibrovax, Leptospirosis 7-in-1, Pestigard and an annual drench, 4-6 weeks prior to joining.
3. JOINING new bulls have the highest risk of breakdown in the herd, this risk can be reduced by:
a) PROTECT a new bull by not over-joining, 30 females per virgin bull maximum. b) Recommended to multi-sire join.
i. Ideally mixing bulls of different age groups, experience levels and risk ratings. c) It is recommended, IF single sire joining with a new bull, to rotate him with a proven bull for at least one cycle. Also, it is good practice to rotate proven bulls for the last cycle with all new bulls.
"Most new bull fertility issues develop or are acquired during the joining period, rather than being pre-existing problems, this means that bull observation during the joining period is essential!
ONCE THE JOINING PROGRAM IS SET UP, MONITORING IS ESSENTIAL
TO IDENTIFY ISSUES AS THEY DEVELOP.
Your new bulls need to be run in mobs that are easily monitored, keep them close to promote observation, check them 2 to 3 times a week for the first three weeks and then weekly thereafter. This involves looking for, 1. The bull serving, (this has not been successful until the bull thrusts). If bulls are continually mounting without serving it is often a sign the bull has developed a penile infection and needs to be rested and replaced immediately. Sound bulls should serve every 1 to 2 mounts.
2. Lameness.
3. Evidence of penile or preputial swelling or inflammation.
4. Signs of ill health, lethargy, etc.
5. Estimate the number of females cycling, (for every 20 females, one cycles each day at the commencement of joining). After three weeks of joining, there should only be one cow cycling every three days in 20 females.
HVC production & breeding www.holbrookvetcentre.com.au