Why and What is Bull Testing
Bull Testing… its exactly as it sounds..
A bull breeding soundness examination (BBSE) is essential for any cattle producer to be prepared for the upcoming joining season. It is too late to find out one or more bulls had reduced fertility when the cows are pregnancy tested!
At Vet in the Valley, when we conduct a BBSE, we perform a physical examination, a reproductive examination, crush side semen testing (using the latest iSperm technology), and semen morphology assessment by sending a sample of semen to a laboratory. We are able to perform this using a Pulsator V, a new, safe and highly effective probe. As a member of the Australian Cattle Veterinarian association, Dr Liam also now has the ability to produce certificates through the BULLCHECK Reporter program, an efficient way to summarise the results of the BBSE.
The aim is not to guarantee the bull will get all cows pregnant (there are a lot more factors than just the bull), but to rule out any bulls that have a high risk of failing to achieve desired pregnancy rates. Reduced pregnancy rates can have a long-term flow-on effect on herd fertility and profitability!
Ideally, this testing would be done 2 months prior to the start of your farms joining period. This allows the treatment of select conditions that may impact on fertility (and allows for spermatogenesis – creation of new sperm – a process which takes approximately 60 days) or the ability to purchase or select a replacement bull in time for the joining period.
Additionally, we can organise for both Pestivirus test sampling and Vibrio vaccination whilst performing the BBSE.
It has been found in one study that the return for producers was up to $20 for every $1 spent on the BBSE!
Contact Vet in the Valley on 0419 306 182 for more information on how this could help you and your production.