Any diet that includes high-quality, green forages should provide enough vitamin A to meet the yearling bull’s requirement. Vitamin A
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds that includes retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and several provitamin A carotenoids. Vitamin A has multiple functions: it is important for growth and development, for the maintenance of the immune system and good vi…
What is the best feed for young bulls?
Not managing the feeding program to eliminate digestive upsets has the potential to reduce the longevity of young bulls. We have used distillers grains and corn gluten feed in our bull development diets. Distillers grains and corn gluten feed have been used as both a protein and energy source.
How much should a yearling bull eat?
A bull’s nutrition will be dependent on his body condition. Yearling bulls are still developing and should be targeted to gain 2-2½ lbs./day from a year of age through the breeding season. Bulls weighing about 1,200 lbs. will consume 25-30 lbs./day of dry matter.
How do you take care of a yearling bull?
Proper feeding and development of yearling bulls should continue following the breeding season in order to maintain bulls in good body condition and keep them on an increasing plane of nutrition. Observe the bull body condition and make supplemental feeding adjustments as appropriate based on the stage of growth.
How can I help my young bull breed faster?
Do this by restricting intake of high-energy grain supplements, in conjunction with supplying a total diet lower in energy content (primarily forage), he says. Young bulls should be managed to be a body condition score 6 at turn-out. This will give him adequate energy reserves for the breeding season.
How much should a bull eat?
How much should a yearling bull gain?
How many cows can a bull breed?
How much weight should a bull gain during breeding season?
How much should a bull gain in a day?
Can yearling bulls be treated?
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What is the best feed for bulls?
Silage from either corn or sorghum is also a great roughage source for feeding bulls. Silage is particularly useful during the development phase and can be used during the transition phase. Obviously, pasture is a primary choice for roughage in a bull diet.
What is a good bull ration?
Example Bull Development Ration Targeting 2.5 Lb Gain/Day When Fed at 1.5% of Animal Body Weight for a Projected Bull Mature Weight of 1,800 Lb. * A complete mineral containing 12% calcium and 4% to 6% phosphorus should be fed free-choice with an expected consumption rate of 4 oz per head per day.
What do you feed bull calves?
Feed calf starter up to 5 to 6 pounds per day and free choice hay (if you want to feed hay or forage). Preferably do not feed forage, and offer a calf starter ad lib or free choice up to 250 pounds. The type of starter can be completely texturized, a complete pellet, or a mix of whole corn and pellets.
How much grain should you feed a bull?
Hand feeding the bull 10 to 22 pounds grain (14% CP) each day will support this growth rate. Proper bull-to-female ratio is influenced by pasture size, terrain and forage availability. Bull factors, such as libido, fertility, sperm reserve, social behavior and physical condition also are important.
How old is a yearling bull?
Yearlings becoming popular In Australia and other parts of the world, there is a trend towards using bulls at yearling age (12–18 months). This allows introduction of superior genetic material into herds a year earlier than normal, resulting in faster genetic improvement.
How much should a yearling bull weight?
A 1,300-pound yearling bull would be expected to weigh 1,600 pounds as a 2-year-old, 1,900 pounds as a 3-year-old, 2,200 pounds as a 4-year-old and 2,500 pounds as a 5-year-old.
Can a bull breed at 1 year old?
Puberty in bulls occurs when they can produce viable sperm. This happens at approximately 12 months of age, though it can vary in individual bulls several months before or after this age depending on biological type (primarily frame size and potential mature weight), nutrition, and health status.
How many cows will a yearling bull breed?
20 to 25 cowsYoung, growing bulls may require extra feed during the breeding season to meet their protein and energy needs. A yearling bull should not be expected to breed more than 20 to 25 cows, while a mature bull with large testicles, good semen and good libido can breed 25 to 40 or more cows.
How often should you change bulls?
First, you can replace your bull every third year (use him for only two consecutive breeding seasons). This is usually not a very popular choice, but it is a necessary one if you plan to keep replacement heifers from within your herd.
What food do bulls eat?
Common grains used in bull feeding are corn, milo, barley, and oats. You don't need a lot of grains to fulfill a bull's energy needs, so it's mixed with roughage to help fill them up.
Do bulls eat carrots?
Carrots are quite palatable and readily consumed by cattle. Carrots have 91% the metabolizable energy value of corn, on a DM basis. There is a popular press report that indicates 40% of a feedlot diet DM as carrots did not cause any deleterious affects.
How much should a 10 month old bull weigh?
How Much Does A Calf Weigh?AgeJersey (lbs.)Holstein (lbs.)5 months233-278311-3396 months259-321369-4228 months335-412468-53010 months391-483575-6535 more rows•Apr 27, 2022
What do they feed bucking bulls?
Pro Bull Nutrition Feeds are specifically formulated to maximize the genetic potential of your bucking bull athlete. All Pro Bull Feeds are fortified with vitamins and SQM-SR 4 (copyrighted) chelated trace minerals for improved immune response and reproductive efficiency.
What is a bulls diet?
They are a type of vegetation that should be kept moist and warm such as grass and corn silage. Bulls also need a lot of these substances. Lastly, the animal will also need canola seeds and soybeans to provide a mixture of fibers, proteins, and energy. Like all other animals, bulls like occasional treats.
What to feed bucking bulls?
A bucking bull can weigh anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 pounds. On average, bulls receive about 10-15 pounds of a special blend of high-protein grain and approximately 15 pounds of high-quality hay per day.
How much does an average bull weigh?
Temperament and handling Adult bulls may weigh between 500 and 1,000 kg (1,100 and 2,200 lb).
The Rules Of Yearling Bull Management | Beef Magazine
When it comes to buying bulls, a diligent amount of time spent studying performance data, EPDs, pedigrees and other pertinent info is warranted as sire selection is the most important tool for making genetic progress in the herd. Of equal importance, however, is the care and management of the newly acquired bull, says Scott P. Greiner, Virginia Tech Extension animal scientist.
How long can I keep a bull, and at what age can a young bull start ...
Puberty in bulls occurs when they can produce viable sperm. This happens at approximately 12 months of age, though it can vary in individual bulls several months before or after this age depending on biological type (primarily frame size and potential mature weight), nutrition, and health status.
Managing and Developing Young Beef Bulls | UNL Beef
Managing and Developing Young Beef Bulls February 2009 There are as many ways to feed and develop young beef bulls as there are seedstock producers. There are many and varied reasons that bulls are managed and fed the way they are. Whether bulls are developed on the ranch, in a commercial facility, or at a central bull test, they are usually fed to gain 2.8 to 4.0 pounds daily
Fertility of Yearling Bulls - Virginia Tech
You've reached the Virginia Cooperative Extension Newsletter Archive. These files cover more than ten years of newsletters posted on our old website (through April/May 2009), and are provided for historical purposes only.
How much dry matter should a bull eat?
Bulls weighing about 1,200 lbs. will consume 25-30 lbs./day of dry matter. This intake may consist of high-quality pasture, plus 12 lbs. corn; grass legume hay, plus 12 lbs. of corn; or 80 lbs. of corn silage and 2 lbs. of protein supplement. Provide adequate clean water, and a complete mineral free-choice.
What to do after bull breeding season?
Following breeding season, young bulls need a relatively high plane of nutrition to replenish their condition and meet demands for their continued growth . Yearling bulls should be maintained in a separate lot from mature bulls, so these additional nutritional requirements can be provided.
Why do bulls need BSE?
All herd bulls should receive breeding soundness exams (BSE) to assure fertility on an annual basis. Assess the bull battery well in advance of the breeding season, so that new herd sires can be acquired in a timely fashion.
How long before a bull starts breeding?
Acquiring a new yearling bull at least 60 to 90 days prior to the breeding season is critical from several aspects. First, this leaves ample time for the new bull to get adjusted to the feed and environment of his new home, as well as an opportunity for several new bulls to be comingled for a period of time prior to turnout.
What should bulls be monitored for?
All bulls should be monitored for injury or lameness that may compromise their breeding capability. Management after the breeding season. Following breeding season, young bulls need a relatively high plane of nutrition to replenish their condition and meet demands for their continued growth.
How much weight should a bull lose?
This will give him adequate energy reserves for the breeding season. Yearling bulls can be expected to lose 100 lbs. or more during the course of the breeding season.
How often do bulls rotate?
Young bulls can’t compete with older bulls in the same breeding pasture. A common practice is to rotate bulls among different breeding pastures every 21 to 28 days to decrease the breeding pressure on a single bull. Some producers use older bulls early in the breeding season and replace them with young bulls.
Why is nutritional management important for bulls?
For bulls to achieve their full growth potential and successfully perform as a breeding bull, nutrition al requirements must be met.
How much weight do bulls need to be weaned?
For example, the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association requires a minimum 205-day adjusted weaning weight of 550 pounds and a weight per day of age (WDA) of 2.5 pounds for entry into the North Alabama Bull Evaluation Center. Producers should consult with a veterinarian to develop an appropriate vaccination plan during this transition period (refer to Vaccinations for the Beef Cattle Herd, Extension publication ANR-0968). Following are nutritional factors to consider when developing bulls post-weaning to the yearling stage.
How much should a 600 pound bull weigh?
For example, a 600-pound bull with a projected mature weight of 1,800 pounds should weigh 1,350 pounds as a 2-year-old (1,800 pounds × 75 percent of mature weight = 1,350 pounds). In general, this requires a growth rate of 2 to 3 pounds per day during this time period from weaning to yearling stage.
What happens if a bull is not weaned?
If nutritional needs of a bull from weaning to yearling are not met, bull growth rate will be reduced and pubertal development can be delayed.
How much should a bull weigh at 2 years old?
The desired rate of gain can be determined by evaluating weight at the beginning of the development period and at projected mature weight. Bulls generally should reach 75 percent of their mature weight at 2 years of age. For example, a 600-pound bull with a projected mature weight of 1,800 pounds should weigh 1,350 pounds as a 2-year-old ...
How much weight should a bull gain?
To achieve this goal in most cases, yearling bulls may require 1.5 to 2.0 pounds per day gain following a 60-day breeding season.
What is free choice feed?
Free-choice feeds are generally offered using self-feeders in pastures or drylot settings. If using self-feed programs for bull development, consult a nutritionist to ensure proper formulation of feedstuffs that ease the transition of bulls from a more forage-based diet to a higher-concentrate feed ration.
How much weight do bulls lose during breeding season?
Bulls often lose from 100 to 200 pounds during the breeding season. A bull that gets extremely thin during the breeding season may want to be replaced because his ability to service the cows will probably be reduced.
Do bulls need vitamins?
This publication does not address mineral and vitamins nutrition in depth in bull diets. However, minerals and vitamins are important for successful animal growth and breeding performance. Provide a good mineral and vitamin program for your bulls as well as your cows.
Why feed a bull a moderate ration?
Feeding a moderate ration and not pushing them too much helps avoid foot problems and fat in the scrotum (which interferes with fertility). “We want to feed them almost to that limit, to find the bulls that can gain well and stay sound.”. They sort themselves out, in terms of which ones can do it.
What is the feedlot for bulls?
The feedlot has large pens and the bulls get some exercise. The pens are on a slope and they have to travel up and down. They are fed a ration that contains chopped hay and straw, along with a bull developer pellet. This program has worked very well for spring-born bulls, for about 20 years.
How much weight do bulls gain in a day?
The Ehlke pastures contain some legumes and provide adequate nutrition. Young bulls will gain at least 3 pounds a day just on pasture and also have plenty of exercise. This is an ideal situation for growing bulls.
How much weight do Charolais bulls gain?
Some bulls were gaining four or more pounds per day, which can be detrimental to future fertility and soundness. Although most stockmen realize fat is unhealthy ...
Why do bulls keep overfeeding?
Although most stockmen realize fat is unhealthy for a bull, they still tend to buy the biggest, best-looking animals, and many breeders keep overfeeding them because it’s harder to sell a bull that isn’t carrying extra weight.
How often are bulls weighed?
The bulls are weighed a couple times while on test, to see how they are doing as a group, and as individuals, to know if feed should be adjusted to have them gaining a little more or a little less. “The bulls are continually monitored; your eye will tell you a lot,” he says.
Can bulls have liver abscesses?
These bulls can end up with liver abscesses, damaged claws and feet, and in some cases permanent reduction in number of sperm produced and often poor semen quality. “There is no sense in grossly overfeeding bulls in the post-weaning period,” he says.
Management Prior to the Breeding Season
Many newly purchased yearling bulls have recently completed a performance test, which provided a high plane of nutrition. Upon completion of this test, the energy level of the diet should gradually be reduced to prevent excessive fat deposition.
Management During the Breeding Season
The breeding season should be kept to a maximum of 60 days for young bulls. This will prevent over-use of the bull, severe weight loss and reduced libido. Severe weight loss may impair future growth and development of the young bull, and reduce his lifetime usefulness.
Management After the Breeding Season
Young bulls require a relatively high plane of nutrition following the breeding season to replenish body condition and meet demands for continued growth. Yearling bulls should be maintained in a separate lot from mature bulls, so these additional nutritional requirements can be provided.
How much grain should a bull eat a day?
Bulls grazing a grass paddock may need to receive 8 to 13 pounds of grain per day, similar to those on dry hay.
How much protein do bulls need?
Protein Requirement. After achieving their first birthday, bull’s protein requirements settle to about 10% of their total diet, depending on their dry matter intake. Usually this requirement can be met by adding one pound of a protein supplement per day to the grain portion of the diet.
What is a BSE for bulls?
All yearling bulls should have a complete breeding soundness exam (BSE) prior to herd turn out. A complete BSE includes a scrotal circumference measurement, a semen exam and a physical exam.
What happens if a bull is too thin?
Thin bulls are more apt to hurt themselves, become less fertile, and have increased nutritional needs after the breeding season. Yearling bulls should not be pastured mated to cows that are extremely larger than themselves.
What factors affect the cow to bull ratio?
Environmental factors like: size of the breeding pastures, type of terrain, climate, and length of the breeding season can also affect the correct cow-to bull ratio. Absolutely, a yearling bull will not be able to service as many cows as an older counterpart.
Why are yearling bulls important?
Because yearlings still have a significant amount of growth and development ahead of them, they require a higher level of care and management than their older counterparts. This is especially true now as yearling bulls can possess considerably more genetic potential for growth than their ancestors.
How to harden up a bull?
Exercise is important for good health and fitness. Many times yearling bulls need to harden up prior to the breeding season and the best accommodations are outside lots, fields or pastures. Bulls should be protected from severe cold and heat prior to turn out. Providing bedding during winter and spring storms will protest testicles from frost bite. Likewise, extreme heat can be detrimental to sperm production.
What feeds are used in bull development?
We have used distillers grains and corn gluten feed in our bull development diets. Distillers grains and corn gluten feed have been used as both a protein and energy source. In the process of producing ethanol and fructose (corn syrup), the starch in corn is removed. The remaining byproduct is greater in protein, energy, and phosphorus compared to corn. Removing some starch in the diet and replacing it with essentially a high fiber energy source reduces the incidence of digestive upsets. In addition, if some corn byproducts are used, it is likely that phosphorus can be removed from the supplement. In most cases calcium will be needed in the supplement. In growing bull diets, it would be critical that the calcium to phosphorus ratio not be below 1.6:1. As always, feeds that are used in the diet need to be priced competitively into the diet.
How much do bulls gain?
Whether bulls are developed on the ranch, in a commercial facility, or at a central bull test, they are usually fed to gain 2.8 to 4.0 pounds daily from weaning to one year of age.
What happens when a bull's ADG is high?
As ADG increases, the amount of feeds high in energy, usually feeds high in starch, in the diet increases. As bulls are fed to a higher ADG, the likelihood of increasing body fat also increases.
How much should a bull eat?
A yearly bull should eat about 2.2 percent of its body weight in dry matter each day. In addition to adequate nutrition, yearling bulls should be allowed plenty of space. Place water, minerals and/or feed at different locations to encourage exercise.
How much should a yearling bull gain?
Most yearling bulls are developed on a ration that promotes a high rate of gain, usually in excess of three pounds per day. At the start of breeding season, a yearling bull should be gaining 2 to 2.5 pounds per day. The new bull's ration must change to support the desired growth rate.
How many cows can a bull breed?
The accepted rule of thumb is that a bull can breed one cow per month of age. During the first breeding season with a yearling bull, observe the herd at least daily to determine if the bull is following, mounting and servicing cows in heat. Note cows being bred and see if they are coming back into heat 21 days later.
How much weight should a bull gain during breeding season?
Throughout the breeding season, the yearling bull should continue to gain 2 to 2.5 pounds per day.
How much should a bull gain in a day?
At the start of breeding season, a yearling bull should be gaining 2 to 2.5 pounds per day. The new bull's ration must change to support the desired growth rate. Adjust yearling bulls to a new ration slowly by decreasing the grain portion of the ration by 10 percent every other day until the desired level is met.
Can yearling bulls be treated?
In addition to ensuring proper nutrition, yearling bulls should be treated for internal and external parasites. A vaccination protocol should be implemented in consultation with your herd veterinarian. If possible, yearling bulls should be managed separately from the cow herd.
pre-weaning Nutrition
post-weaning Nutrition
Conditioning Prior to The Breeding Season
Breeding Season Nutrition
Post-Breeding Season
Minerals and Vitamins
- This publication does not address mineral and vitamins nutrition in depth in bull diets. However, minerals and vitamins are important for successful animal growth and breeding performance. Provide a good mineral and vitamin program for your bulls as well as your cows.
Two Breeding Seasons Per Year