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Dan and Heather Brundige started feeding their purebred bulls a mix of CDC Super Oats and barley last year, with good results.
Beef Cattle, Livestock

Ranchers talk turkey about purebred bulls

Two seedstock bull producers share how they develop marketable breeding males

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There are many decisions which weigh into raising a saleable purebred bull. Do you focus on weight or conditioning? What kind of feeding program do you need to meet that goal? How do you keep them healthy and productive in the bitter winter conditions common across much of the Prairies? Seedstock producers will likely tell […] Read more
BRCHE White Bear 8595 Pld ET.
News, Purely purebred

Canadian bull breeders show their stuff

Purely Purebred with Mike Millar: News about you from the March 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

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We regret the error Well, I have a confession. In my December column I inadvertently wrote that the Luing breed originated from the Shorthorn and Simmental breeds when in fact it is Shorthorn and Scottish Highland cattle that make up this breed. I could say it was a test to keep all my readers on […] Read more
Testing for trichomoniasis.
Features, Livestock

Keeping trichomoniasis out of cattle herds

Prevention and early detection are vital to managing this disease

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Trichomoniasis is a disease that can sneak into a herd without any obvious signs. This sexually transmitted disease is caused by protozoa that inhabit the cow’s reproductive tract and the bull’s sheath. It doesn’t affect a bull’s fertility rate, but a bull can spread the disease to many cows during breeding. An infected cow can […] Read more
Foot rot.
Vet advice

Vet Advice: Spot and treat foot rot early

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Foot rot is an acute and highly infectious disease of cattle characterized by swelling and lameness. The condition is extremely painful. If not treated promptly, the infection invades other structures in the foot including bones, joints and tendons, complicating treatment and delaying recovery. Foot rot originates between the claws of the hoof. It is more […] Read more
Bulls will establish a pecking order when brought together, and breeding season brings out aggression.
Features, Livestock

Getting bulls ready for the breeding season

Take steps to make sure bulls stay healthy in the off season as well

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Before breeding season starts, herd sire considerations should be front and center. Assess the condition of the bull battery well before the bulls are released into the cow and heifer herds. A good place to start is a breeding soundness exam which is a uniform method of determining a bull’s likelihood of establishing pregnancy in […] Read more
Winter feed requirements will vary depending on whether the bulls are weanlings, yearlings or mature bulls.
Beef Cattle, Features

Winter nutrition for bulls

When feeding bulls, the main thing is to assess your goals for those animals, says Dr. Bart Lardner

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The bull supplies half the genetics for a calf crop so producers will want to make sure bulls are fertile, healthy and sound, and in good body condition through winter. Young bulls are still growing, so they need adequate energy and protein to support growth as well as maintenance and body condition, and body heat […] Read more
Degeneration can happen to any bull at any stage of life which is why we semen test before breeding.
Features, Livestock

Watch for testicular degeneration in bulls

Breeding: If you suspect degeneration, it’s wise to have a semen evaluation performed

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One of the most frustrating conditions to hit our herd sires is testicular degeneration (testicles shrinking up). It often strikes without warning or reason. It causes headaches for both purebred breeders with bulls they have sold and for insurance companies with bulls they have insured. In this article I will go over some known causes […] Read more
Bring them home early and give them time to adjust to new surroundings before they see the cows.
Features, Livestock

Transitioning bulls from feeding to breeding

Prepare to have a good transition program after you bring a bull home

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The hardest time for a young bull is when he’s turned out with cows for his first breeding season, after being well fed all winter. Most bulls are raised in unnatural conditions. After weaning they are confined and often fed high-concentrate feeds, and pushed for fast growth. Many go through a bull test/feeding program to […] Read more
Beef Cattle, Nutrition

Focus on your yearlings this breeding season

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Calving is well underway across the country and many of you are turning your thoughts to activities associated with breeding, pasture turnout and spring seeding. Before your schedule gets too hectic, it is a good time to take stock of your nutrition program particularly as it relates to the breeding herd. In past issues, I […] Read more

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