THIS YEAR'S BULLS QUALITY. DOCILITY. INTEGRITY.

Management

We take great pride in our reputation for quiet cattle. The bulls have been handled with bikes, dogs, horses and on foot. Under normal circumstances they are of sound temperament and we ask that you treat them with kindness and respect, especially under the pressures of sale day.

Health

The bulls are ready for immediate use and we recommend using a 12 – 14 mo yearling at a rate of 1 bull to 35, and a 16 – 18 mo bull at usual rates of 1 to 50. All bulls have been tested PI (pestivirus) negative and vaccinated with 7-in-1 (Lepto), Pestiguard and Vibriosis. They have had regular doses of Vitamin A,D,E, Vitamin B12 and drenched with Eprinex Pour on and Fasinex Oral on 15 June 2023.

Blooding And 3 Day

We are happy to blood bulls and give three day vaccine for bulls sold to Queensland, and will work in with you for the best delivery time so they adapt.

Fertility

FERTILTY POLICY YEARLING BULLS: developed in conjunction with Chris Hallet BVSt MCSt and Millah Murrah, written by Ross Thomson. We have led the way with yearling bulls and believe vehemently their use is key to increased farm gate profitability. We have adopted this policy with reference to two other who share similar views, Millah Murrah’s Ross Thompson and Chris Hallett of Coolah Vet Clinic.”. Bulls are vet checked by Chris Hallett of Coolah Vet Clinic, including penis examination, palpation of reproductive organs and visual inspection of structure and locomotion.

At the same time, a crush side test for semen motility is conducted. A semen sample is then sent to the Queensland Sperm Morphology Laboratory for analysis.

All bulls in the 18 month and two-year categories have presented greater than 70% normal sperm, except when noted on the supplementary information sheet, provided on sale day.

For the yearlings, the satisfactory morphology threshold is lowered, simply due to maturity. Yearling bulls presenting 50-70% normal sperm, and showing adequate rates of improvement from multiple tests, will be included in the sale with their % normal sperm indicated on the supplementary sheet. It is important to note that they are considered ready for work at point of sale.

As in previous years, there will be some yearlings for whom it is not possible to obtain a satisfactory semen sample ahead of the sale. While it is unlikely that they are infertile, we prefer to be sure, before delivering them to their new home. And rather than withdraw them from sale, we sell them with the following options available to the purchaser:

1. Free delivery guaranteed by 20 October, pending a satisfactory semen test result, with no payment due until this time or,

2. In the event the bull fails the retest, the buyer may, a. withdraw from the sale altogether, b. retain the option to purchase the bull pending a satisfactory result at an agreed future date, or c. elect to take a satisfactory replacement, delivered free of charge by 20 October, with price negotiated privately, no higher than the auction price of the original bull.

The sale supplementary sheet will clearly identify any bulls presented for sale under these delayed terms.

COMMENT: Some studs do not conduct any form of semen testing, and many do not carry out morphology analyses, even for two-yearold sale bulls. Morphology analysis of genuine yearling bulls is rare. Semen testing is a vexed area, and we make no judgement on what another stud does in that regard. The reason some studs, including Millah Murrah and Ben Nevis, choose to undertake semen morphology testing is that, very occasionally, it will identify a permanent issue that cannot be found by a thorough vet examination or crush side testing. It is important to understand that semen testing is not a “silver bullet” guarantee of the long-term fertility or infertility of a bull. It is no more than a “point in time” examination. Testing six weeks apart, invariably reveals failed bulls that pass and passed bulls that fail.

Above all, during mating season, be sure to check the bulls properly each week at least. And in single sire situations, always endeavor to rotate the bulls between mobs midway through the season.

Semen Rights

We sell the semen marketing rights along with the bull at sale. We shall however retain the right to collect up to 600 straws of semen from bulls nominated in the catalogue with our elite logo for in herd use only, OR for our own commercial progeny tests. Ben Nevis will collect semen at the vendors expense and the purchasers convenience. Where possible this semen will be collected pre-sale.

Warranty

The vendor warrants that;

Bulls are fertile and capable of natural service within six months of the date of sale to the purchaser (Warranty period).

The vendor will either:

1. Provide a satisfactory replacement; or

2. Provide a credit for us at the next Ben Nevis Bull Sale equal to the purchase price (excluding any costs and expenses of the purchaser in taking delivery), minus the salvage value.

Where:

1. The purchaser claims a bull is infertile, upon purchaser submitting two x veterinary reports ten weeks apart stating the bull is infertile (semen) OR one x Veterinary Report stating the bull is incapable of natural service, and a Statutory Declaration by the purchaser to the effect that the substance of the report is true and correct. The Veterinarian must state that in their opinion there is no evidence that the bull has suffered any injury or illness (or infection) during the Warranty Period which could have affected his breeding ability. The Veterinary Report and the Statutory Declaration must be forwarded to the vendor within 14 days of the Warranty Period expiring.

Bull Handling

On arrival at their new home it is important a suitable mob of animals is yarded to greet the bull to minimise stress. Suitable animals include pregnant cows, steers but certainly not other bulls.

The bulls are in good working condition at the point of Sale, but it is imperative to ensure good nutrition for the bull during the joining period.

You should check bulls regularly to see that they are working, especially in the early stages when most problems occur and early intervention can minimise damage to the bull and conception rates. After joining, bulls should be drenched and placed on good pasture to get back in condition.