The bull test sales rely also on average daily gain (ADG) where gain is a desired trait. The average yearling bull should weigh 1100# before he is used for breeding this weight can vary with each species. Excess fat in the testicles and scrotum can cause infertility if the bull becomes too hot. Too fat of a bull will result in excess testicular fat. The open range livestock laws are not protection if any animal gets out because of a poor fence and cause misbreedings and/or an auto accident. If a bull gets out because of poor fencing, then it is the bull owner’s responsibility to pay for any damages, dystocia, etc if the bull is found within another herd.

You need well-built facilities to house and work a bull. One bull alone may become very wild at time, yet if there are 1-3 others with him he is easier to work. If you are taking a bull to the veterinarian, bringing along a second herd mate will greatly reduce the stress in working and handling him. Bulls can be dangerous, and should never be trusted, especially dairy bulls. If one has less than 20 head of cattle it is more cost effective to use artificial insemination (AI) than keeping a bull around. Bulls take stronger facilities to raise and hold, which is why we do not commercially feed out bulls for slaughter in this country.

Raising rodeo bulls