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Care of Newly Purchased Performance Tested
Bulls
Several management practices should be
observed when newly purchased bulls are
brought home. These practices can help to
ensure that each new bull has a long and
productive future with good productive
performance.
1.
Feeding
: This is a young calf (13 to 16
mo. old) that still has a lot of growing to
do. Feed this young bull well. Feeding
5 to 10 pounds of grain and 1 to 2
pounds of a protein source will assist
him in the completion of the growth
process. Continue to supplement this
young bull during and after the
breeding season.
2.
Only use this young bull in a 45 to 60
day
restricted
breeding
season.
Observe him closely to see if he is
servicing females properly.
3.
Young bulls should be limited to a
minimum number of cows to service.
The number is decided by his age.
Bull’s Age
No. of Females
12‐15 months
10 to 12
15‐18 mo
12 to 18
18‐24 mo
18 to 25
24 mo and older
25 to 35
4.
Place young bulls in well fenced lots
before and after the breeding season to
keep bulls away from cows in heat.
There should be shade and plenty of
clean water in each lot. Provide free‐
choice minerals and routinely treat for
parasites.
5.
Remember bulls are guaranteed by the
consignors to be breeders only if they
are managed correctly after the sale.
Care of Newly Purchased Heifers
Heifers need to be taken care of just like new
bull purchases. With current prices, these
heifers need to have a long and productive life,
so proper care is essential.
1.
Separate from herd for 30 days. Keep
your newly purchased heifers separate
from the herd for 30 days. This will
accomplish several things. First, it will
prevent spread of disease between
purchased heifers and your herd in case
there is a health issue. Secondly, it will
acclimate new heifers to their new
surroundings, including you. Third, it
will allow you to easily observe bred
heifers for signs of abortion, because
hauling is a major stressor on that
heifer.
2.
Bred Heifer Feeding:
Heifers are
growing animals too. A bred heifer
should remain growing and gaining
throughout pregnancy. A target ADG is
1 lb/day with a body condition score of
6 at calving. Do not try to starve calf
birth weight out of your heifers. All this
will do is affect body condition score
and rebreeding rates. Target body
weight at calving is 85% of mature body
weight.
3.
Open Heifer Feeding:
Open heifers
should reach 65% of their mature body
weight by breeding. Open heifers need
to be bred at 14 to 15 mo of age to
calve as 2‐yr‐olds. Heifers with
adequate weight and flesh should reach
puberty before the month she needs to
be bred. Heifers which have cycled at
least once before breeding have higher
conception rates.
4.
Don’t forget about free‐choice mineral
access and plenty of fresh, clean water.
Also routinely treat for parasites after
the 1
st
killing frost and before green‐up
in the spring.
Looking for Hauling?
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