Young Bull Management
It’s bull sale season and while it seems the hard work and research is in selecting the right bull, or bulls for the ranch, correctly managing the animal in his new environment is just as critical. I’m Susan Allen when Open Range returns a few tips from professionals. Some good advice from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service on caring for young bulls reminds those of you who have purchased yearlings or two year olds at sales this month to have each animal receive a breeding soundness exam to assess fertility. It’s critical that young bulls remain in good health throughout the breeding season and for the youngsters, it needs to be shorter not more than 60 days. I know my listeners who aren’t involved with ranching think all bulls have it made in the shade but just like guys who are under emotional stress young bulls can loose their libido. So one way to “beef” up young bulls is to provide grain or a supplement during breeding season. Also like a young buck or bull elk in the wild a young domestic bull can’t yet hold his own with the older fellows so if you run several bulls it’s recommended to rotate them to different breeding pastures every 21 to 28 days, others might put the seniors in with the cows early in the breeding season and let the young bulls in latter. After breeding season is over extension animal scientists recommend upping nutrition levels to help the young bulls obtain their health and growth and again when feeding remember the yearlings need to be kept separate from the mature bulls so they don’t have to compete for food. Good bull management can make a big difference.
