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Performance tested bulls you can rely on. Fertility tested, guaranteed, gentle dispositions. Sired by our select, trait-leading herd sire line-up.

Historically

Sperm production takes 61 days, so if there’s an insult or injury to the testicles, the producer may see open cows if he maintains a tight breeding season. If he leaves bulls out with cows longer, he may see an extended calving season.

Whitworth said it’s important to note what a BSE isn’t. “A BSE doesn’t guarantee you that the bull is going to breed cows because we don’t test libido. We also don’t know how aggressive that bull will be about getting cows bred.”

Whitworth said the BSE exam also doesn’t test if a bull can breed the cows, so it’s critical for ranchers to observe the bull breeding cows. The exam also doesn’t test for trichomoniasis or other diseases, which can affect the bull’s breeding ability or cause issues with fertility.

“Bulls can have infections that may not prevent the bull from breeding, but the cows may not settle,” he said. “For instance, if we’ve got trich, the bull’s going to breed, and those cows will probably settle. However, through the breeding process, we’ve infected her with the organism, and she will slough the calf.”

So many factors play a role in getting a live calf on the ground, so it’s important to minimize risks whenever possible. Since profitability in the cow-calf industry starts with high pregnancy rates, a simple breeding soundness exam is a small investment in the profit picture to help ensure great returns. //

A breeding soundness exam is a systematic evaluation by a licensed veterinarian to determine a bull’s reproductive potential. An exam will typically cost $50 to $65.

Whitworth said most vets will start with a physical exam to evaluate the bull’s overall condition. The vet will verify that the bull can walk, breath normally and has two good eyes.

“Sight is really important. Bulls mainly rely on sight to watch for cows in standing heat,” he said. “If they have only one good eye, they’re not seeing the whole picture, so the bull could miss some cows that are in heat.”

During a breeding soundness exam, a vet will collect semen to check for motility or abnormalities.

A rectal exam will follow to check for abnormalities and ensure the seminal vesicles are not enlarged, inflamed or infected.

Vets will measure scrotal circumference and verify that the bull meets minimal requirements for his age. Scrotal circumference is important for multiple reasons, Whitworth said. “Through research, we know that bulls with larger testicles have more capacity to breed cows. We also know the female offspring of bulls with larger testicles cycle and get bred earlier, increasing fertility.”

The vet will also palpate the testicles for firmness. “They ought to be a lot like your biceps when flexed.”

They will check the penis for warts, signs of damage and to make sure the bull can extend without deviation. Whitworth said the electro-ejaculator can cause some corkscrew or side-to-side deviation. If a deviation is noted, producers should make sure they observe the bull breeding a cow.

Semen will be collected and evaluated for motility and abnormalities. “Seventy percent of sperm cells should be normal for a bull to pass,” Whitworth said. The vet will also inspect the sperm cells for head defects and make sure there is progressive motility in a common direction in a certain number of cells.

Semen will be collected and evaluated for motility and abnormalities. A bull needs a score of 70% normal sperm cells to pass his BSE exam.

After the exam, the vet will classify the bull as satisfactory, unsatisfactory or deferred. Whitworth said an unsatisfactory rating is rare, since that would show a problem that will never change. He said it’s more common for vets to check the deferred classification, attempt treatment of the issue and retest the bull in 60 days. //

To learn more about Red Choice and how to enroll heifers,visit viewed at Eric Bowman’s feedlot, 1 mile south of Rhame, ND, until three days prior to the sale.

Since 1985, Milk Creek Reds has STRIVED to produce functional, productive and profitable Red Angus cattle.

We identify real-world genetics by using large contemporary groups that consist of 15-60 progeny per sire. The large sire and contemporary groups allow us to evaluate the genetic merit within our operation.

Through this genetic selection we are producing economically sustainable females that THRIVE under limited inputs and generate offspring that are economic relevant in the feedlot and the rail.