Before bulls are turned out this spring a complete breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) should be conducted by a veterinarian, including a physical examination, reproductive tract examination, and semen evaluation.
Ranchers are finding advantages in profitability, retained female fertility and longevity when using Hereford bulls in their crossbreeding programs, and many advantages translate into benefits at the feedyard, too.
When calving in early spring with lush pastures we can find mature cows that are in otherwise good condition with unusual behaviors, unsteady gait or inability to rise—early signs of both grass tetany and milk fever.
Grass is greening up and cattlemen are busy seeking stocker and feeder cattle to turn out for the season. Prices last week saw the influence of that stronger demand.
Fed cattle prices have not put together any sort of spring rally with cash markets trading in a narrow range for several weeks, but there is considerable optimism beginning in the second quarter of the year.
Cash cattle markets carried a firmer tone most of the week but hopes for solid price gains were dashed by two days of declining futures prices. USDA's Cattle on Feed report was consistent with trade estimates.
Drovers and Bovine Veterinarian invite you to attend a free one-hour webinar on how to use breeding soundness exams to ensure adult and yearling bulls are ready for the breeding season.
Beyond critical factors such as health, head count, evenness and flesh that always matter, it has become important to review Process Verified Programs and their role in cultivating more value add.
