Bull Breeding Soundness Exams Proves More Successful in Year 2

After successful BSE Clinics last year, area ANR agents applied for and received funding to host two clinics again this year from ANR mini grants provided by the Associate Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Last year the agents recognized that after the initial clinic there was positive momentum building behind educating others as to the importance of getting bulls tested prior to the breeding season. Unfortunately, those who had bulls failed, their testimony made others realize this could happen in their operations, and it could be too late to cover those cows with another bull as well as a risk of disease spreading throughout the herd. With emphasis on getting bulls tested before each breeding season, a decision was made to host these clinics in March again this year at two locations which were the WTA Livestock Facility in London, KY and the Robinson Center, Jackson, KY.

Last year at all locations 34 bulls were tested with three failed exams including one bull who had a disease that was transmittable to the herd he would have bred. This fail rate was equivalent to the national average of bulls who failed the exam. This saved those producers thousands of dollars. This year with the funding we secured we were able to offer a full day of testing at both locations which allowed us to increase our appointments. This year 41 bulls were tested by the two veterinarians on site. This year we had no issues filling up the exam appointments and reached our capacity for the funds we had available. This can be contributed to the education that is occurring surrounding what the cost of an open cow herd is as well as the loss of over $3.00 per pound calves at weaning. 

This year we had 8 bulls fail the exam at the London location and 3 bulls fail the exam in Jackson. Additionally, we had two bulls who passed but were identified as problem breeders with a recommendation from the vet that they passed this year but next year they needed to be tested again. 

As a result of the clinic, you can see the economic impact in the chart above. The amount of cows each bull was to cover was recorded and an open cow herd cost was determined by utilizing the cost of an open cow and multiplying that based on herd size. The 11 bulls were to cover 283 cows. This results in an open cow herd cost of $165,272.00 for those producers. As a result of those cows being open and not having calves to sell, we have a calf crop loss estimated at $570.528.00. 

These area producers have become our biggest advocates for telling other producers to have your bull's BSE completed each year. As a direct result of these producers being proactive, they can save themselves thousands of dollars. The clinic is responsible for $735,800.00. We look forward to being able to provide this opportunity in the future and further education to our area producers!