The quality of a beef herd is directly affected by the selection and health of the herd’s bull. In an effort to ensure that local beef producer’s bulls are ready for the breeding season, Boone and Kenton County Cooperative Extension Service offers bull soundness exams (BSE) in cooperation with a local veterinarian. A basic BSE evaluates, physical soundness, reproductive tract soundness, required scrotal circumference, determination of sperm cell count and sperm mobility. According to University of Wisconsin, one in five bulls, or 20% of experienced bulls are either sterile or subfertile. Further, 10 to 15% of yearling bulls can be infertile. For the April 2018 Bull Soundness Exams, 57 bulls were tested and there were only 3 bulls that were deemed ineffective or unable to successfully breed. Of the 57 bulls tested,  33 bulls were from Kenton county farms. Kenton County agriculture agent followed up with these producers and found that 100% of those that participated see the importance of having a BSE done. Of those tested only 5% had never had a BSE done on their bull. There were 45% of the participants that had used past BSE data to help either sell or purchase a bull. Seventy-five (75%) of the Kenton County producers attribute their successful breeding season to the health of the bull and 90% realize that unsound bulls will need to be culled immediately so as to get a bull in time for the pending breeding season.