Expert: Karin - 3/29/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi, i have a few cattle and was looking at getting a bull, not really looking to hand out big $$$$ for a stud bull and have found one locally but was wondering what the working life of a bull is, is 5-6 years too old???

ANSWER: Hello Sonia,

Before I give you a simple yes-or-no answer, I just want to give you some advise, or at least some things to think on.  

Depending on how many cattle is "a few," you should reconsider getting a bull for your own use because there are other means to breed those few heifers or cows that you have.  If you are close to a certified AI (artificial insemination) technician, use them instead of a bull to breed your females.  It's a heck of a lot cheaper, and less heartache for you to deal with because all you have to worry about is feeding and caring for your few heifers or cows.

A bull is worth half of your herd, and is a lot to take care of when he's not working.  If he only has 3 to 5 females to breed (assuming that's how many you have), he's going to be pulling down your wallet really quick with the maintenance and care you have to give him when he's not breeding. They eat a lot when they're not breeding, and also need to be fed in such a way that they are kept at a good weight. Bulls also tend to be very hard on fences, especially if you live in an area where there are neighbors with cattle and where he can easily smell another cow or heifer in heat from across the road or fenceline.  Once he's figured out that he can get out, he will become a repeat offender, unless you have him in an area where there are VERY stout fences that he cannot nor will not attempt to bust through.  Tall, heavy-duty steel panels or a heavy duty board fence is the only thing that will keep a bull in and prevent him going on a trip to "visit" some other females.

Also, there could be a reason why a 5 to 6 year old bull is being sold: he could have some reproductive issues like low fertility or low libido, or he could already be showing signs of dominance/aggression towards humans that can only be fixed with a bullet or cap-bolt to the head.  If it's any of the above (and if he failed a BBSE [bull breeding soundness exam]), don't even think about getting him.  It's not worth your life, nor is it worth the money to get a bull with ANY of those issues.

Now, I have some questions for you: What breed are your animals? How old are they and what weight (approximately)? Are they cows (females that have had at least 2 calves) or are they heifers (females that haven't been bred before)? And finally, what breed is the bull that you're interested in?

If you have heifers, don't get a 5 to 6 year old bull.  If it's the breed I'm thinking of (like Angus), that bull will be WAY too heavy and big for your heifers.  Big bulls on virgin heifers tend to wreak havoc on the heifers' spine and pelvis and this can pose problems when they are calving.  If you have cows though, then a mature bull is alright for them.  But then again, if you only have a few (like 3 to 4 or 5) females to breed, consider getting them AI'd.  A bull that age can settle as many as 25 to 50 females in one breeding season, so he will get pretty bored if he's only got a few to settle!

Now, to get back to answering your question, the working life of a bull depends on several factors: temperament, libido, fertility, and conformation.  If he has good to excellent on all four factors, then no, 5 to 6 years is not too old.  If he has poor conformation, poor libido, fertility, or has a nasty disposition, he's better off getting turned into hamburger than used for breeding cows.  So, since I have no history or further information about this bull, I cannot really answer yes or no.

Sorry for the long answer and the ramblings, but I hope this has helped you. :)

-Karin  

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi again, soory about the brief question! i only have 4 cows and they are murray greys, the bull will also be a murray grey if i decide to get him does this breed make much of a difference? thanks for your quick reply!

Answer
Hi again Sonia,

From what I know MG's are one of the most docile breeds out there, next to Herefords and Shorthorns.  But still, no matter what breed he is, he's still a bull and still apt to get into trouble in the times he's not "entertained" by his girls.  And what I mentioned above still holds water, so with only 4 cows I'd still consider AI'ing them to a Murray Grey instead of purchasing a bull.  He is an extra mouth to feed and will take extra effort to keep in good condition, and doing all that just to breed four cows just, to me, isn't really worth the money and labour involved in buying and keeping a herd bull.

But I can only give you advise and can only give you some things to think about.  So if you're dead-set on getting him, get him semen tested by a vet and make sure you have a bull-proof corral to keep him in before he comes home.  

And...good luck and your welcome!

-Karin