NKY Cattle Association Hosts 20^th Year of Bull Testing Program

Working with volunteers from Northern Kentucky Cattle Association on Saturday, April 15th, agents from Kenton and Boone counties held their 20^th annual bull testing program.  This program is held at the Kenton County Fair grounds and this year more than 40 bulls were checked for breeding soundness. Local veterinarian evaluated the bulls.  Northern Kentucky Cattle Association President said "For twenty years this program has been a service offered to the NKY Cattle Association members as a way of ensuring their bulls are ready for breeding." In years past this program consistently finds that 10% of the bulls tested are not sound enough to breed. However, for 2023 the number dropped to only 6%.  By finding out the bull’s health prior to breeding the cattle operator has an opportunity to make changes in their cow calf herds.  The average herd size in our region is small and the escalating input costs associated with calf farms, a healthy bull is critical to any success.