Breeding Soundness Exams on Beef Bulls Makes Economic Sense

By Frank Wardynski

Many beef cow-calf producers rely on multiple bulls to breed the cow herd without conducting fertility tests on bulls. Farms can have acceptable breeding rates with this strategy, however, this plan is not always successful and one missed pregnancy will have a negative economic impact. In instances where producers only have a few bulls, if the more dominant bull is infertile, he will usually dominate the breeding of cows by keeping less aggressive and smaller bulls from servicing cows.

Annually, about 20-25% of bulls do not pass breeding soundness exams. Breeding bulls can remain fertile with high-quality semen for 10 plus years. However, bulls may exhibit low fertility performance at any age. Low fertility can be caused by a number of factors including frost-damaged testicles, infection, poor nutrition and genetic predisposition. Younger bulls may exhibit breeding problems due to these same reasons. In addition, they may not have reached full sexual maturity or may have a small scrotal circumference.

Bulls can be tested for fertility utilizing a breeding soundness exam. During the exam they are inspected and observed for anatomical correctness and abnormalities such as penile warts, reproductive tract infection, scrotal circumference and semen quality. Semen quality is determined by collecting a semen sample to determine sperm cell motility, concentration and morphology.

Breeding soundness exams are conducted on breeding beef bulls to determine if they are fertile and ready to breed cows. Semen is collected to determine if sperm cells are alive with no abnormalities. The bulls are also palpated to determine the prostate glans are healthy and the penis is inspected to ensure it is functional and without warts or other growths.

Fertility testing breeding bulls is a minor production cost and can help prevent severe reproductive failure. Turning infertile males into breeding pastures will frequently yield a high percentage of open cows. Cattle prices have been historically high each of the last two years (2023-2024) and forecasts indicate prices will remain high into next year (2025). Just one more calf will easily pay for the Breeding Soundness Exam for the entire bull battery.

The Michigan State University Extension Beef Team wants to ensure that beef producers understand that conducting breeding soundness exams on bulls is an important first step to ensure that the breeding season will be successful. For more information on the importance of having bulls fertility tested, contact Frank Wardynski, ruminant educator with MSU Extension at wardynsk@msu.edu.