Bull fertility testing - is he working?!

Completely infertile bulls can be devastating, but sub-fertility (where the semen counts or motility is impaired) can result in poorer scanning results and extended calving periods, which can have knock-on effects on calf growth, weaning weight, and sales.

When to test?

We recommend an annual pre-breeding exam 6-8 weeks before his introduction. This allows you time to make plans if the fertility is not what it should be.

The test is always a snapshot of the fertility on that day and is influenced by the previous 2 months.

How does the testing work?

We always start with a full physical exam of the bull to check over his general health. This is followed by a more detailed examination of the internal and external sex organs.

A semen sample is collected following stimulation with a rectal probe. The sample is examined promptly on farm under a microscope to evaluate the motility, morphology (are the cells shape and structure normal?) and an estimate of number of sperm in the sample.

If you would like more information, do get in touch with us.