It is often not until pregnancy-testing that a defective bull is suspected. By then the damage is done and finding a whole mob of cows or heifers empty can be soul-destroying.
Bulls can be infertile or sub-fertile for a number of reasons including deficiencies in libido, inability to mount, neurological problems, penile abnormalities and sperm defects. It is estimated that in commercial bulls, when all these potential problems are taken into account, a staggering 13% of young bulls and 20% of mixed-age bulls can be unsound for mating.
This uncertainty can be eliminated by fertility testing. At Totally Vets we carry this out by collecting sperm from a bull using an artificial vagina (AV) while a heifer or cow is being mounted. During this process, the parameters listed above are evaluated and a sperm sample collected and then evaluated in our laboratory.
We have chosen to use this method of fertility evaluation over the Blockey test or collection by electro-ejaculation for several reasons. During the Blockey test, a cow or heifer is repeatedly served, which can have welfare implications. Also a semen sample is not collected and evaluated. Collection by electro-ejaculation has welfare implications for the bull, can be unreliable and does not evaluate the penis or ability to mount. Collection by AV eliminates many of these issues.
To carry out a test, all you need is a decent set of yards, cows or heifers on heat (we can help with this) and some reliable help. We have a portable crush for the heifer/cow that can be adapted to fit many different situations.
Please give us a call at either clinic if you would like to know more about this service.
Can you afford not to know the fertility of your bull team?
