Since greater than 90% of the beef cows in the United States are bred by natural service, it is important that bulls be managed to optimize breeding performance. The weaning weight is influenced by the bull selection. The number of cows bred during the breeding season plays the largest role in percent calf crop weaned, and percent calf crop weaned is the single most important factor influencing profitability in beef operations. Therefore, bull selection can be the most powerful method of genetic improvement in the herd, but bulls with low fertility, structural problems and low libido reduce the percent calf crop weaned. Additionally, bulls influence their daughters' production in the cow herd. Each cow produces one calf per year however, bulls should contribute to the calf crop by 25 to 60 times via siring 25 to 60 calves.
In addition, the herd bull influences overall herd fertility more than any other single animal, and loss of fertility by a bull can cause substantial loss to a potential calf crop. Proper management and nutrition of bulls is essential to ensure cow/calf producers maximize reproductive efficiency and genetic improvement of the calf crop. Julie Walker 1, George Perry 1, Russ Daly 2 and Ken Olson 1ġ Departments of Animal and Range Sciences and 2 Veterinary Science December 1, 2 and 3 2009, Casper, Wyoming Bull Management and Nutrition
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