SHOREVIEW, Minn. — LeBron James. Tom Brady. Usain Bolt. These names bring with them a certain performance standard. Each season, fans expect these athletes to be in top form, to perform and to achieve results no one else is capable of.
You expect the same of your breeding bulls each season, but are you treating them like the athletes that they are?
“We need to prepare bulls to be athletes for the duration of breeding season,” said Chad Zehnder, cattle nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition. “One way we can help prepare them as athletes is by conditioning them.”
If bulls are too thin at the start of breeding season they might not hold condition and perform. At the same time, too much condition could be detrimental. Excess weight can affect structure, soundness and the bull’s ability to remain in active form.
Gradually build condition
The ultimate goal should be to achieve ideal bull condition and start far enough in advance so it’s not a sprint to attain it.
A body condition score (BCS) of 6 going into breeding is ideal and should be achieved gradually.
“A single point change in BCS equals 80 to 100 pounds of weight. So, for a bull to go from a BCS 5 to a BCS 6, it would require gaining 100 pounds,” said Zehnder. “To achieve that score increase takes time and monitoring.”
Start monitoring bulls four to five months before breeding season. Early monitoring allows for gradual changes to be made over time, versus trying to make drastic weight changes quickly.
“Allowing a bull to gain 1 pound per day over 100 days, as opposed to pushing him to gain 3 pounds per day over 30 days, will be much more conducive to the longevity and performance of the bull,” said Zehnder.
Makes a difference
An early start to bull preparation also helps ensure bulls have high-quality semen going into breeding. Sperm production takes 60 days and is impacted by the nutrition a bull receives pre-breeding season.
Balancing nutrition
“Yearling bulls and bulls up to 2 or 3 years of age are still growing and need a diet that meets those requirements,” said Zehnder.
He said young bull requirements differ from what more mature bulls need to gain or maintain condition, and the two groups should be developed and fed in separate facilities if possible.
If you have multiple bulls in a group, ensure they have ample bunk space or free-choice supplementation to help reduce displays of dominance at the feed bunk.
Zehnder said supplements with intake control properties encourage snack eating, causing bulls to eat smaller meals more consistently throughout the day versus aggressively trying to consume all their feed in one meal.
“Developing bulls on the range or in a pasture situation where they can exercise can be advantageous,” he said. “Exercise and reducing the energy fed in the diet can also help over-conditioned bulls get closer to BCS 6.”
Quality mineral nutrition is also essential because minerals support the development of a growing bull’s structure and feet. Minerals can support health and sperm quality as well.
Monitor year-round
Once bulls are turned out with cows for the breeding season, continue monitoring their body condition. If bulls fall below a BCS 4, replace those bulls to ensure your cows are getting bred.
At the end of breeding season, bulls will need some extra attention again.
“Bulls often end the breeding season in a BCS 4 or 5. At that point, younger bulls that are still growing will need more than a maintenance diet to regain condition and allow for growth,” said Zehnder.
Don’t cut corners
Purchasing bulls is a significant initial investment, but trying to cut corners during bull development won’t do your herd any favors.
“Think of bull development as a marathon rather than a sprint,” said Zehnder. “The goal is to optimize gain and maintain the structural and breeding soundness of a bull for as many years as possible.”
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