Bull Breeding Soundness Examination & Bull Testing

Our experienced Cattle Veterinarians are accredited to provide Bull Breeding Soundness Examinations (BBSE) to producers and studs.

The fertility of the herd bull is critical to the success of a breeding enterprise.

The BULLCHECK™ was developed to standardise bull testing and to provide a consistent measure of bull fertility. The BBSE requires a bull to meet a set of standards for key fertility measures, which indicate whether a bull has a high probability of being fertile.

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Soundness Examinations

We recommend producers have their bulls tested prior to sale or purchase, and prior to joining with the herd each year. All bull buyers should request a complete BBSE when sourcing bulls.

Utilising a sub-fertile bull can have serious consequences to productivity and a thorough BBSE exam by a qualified Veterinarian is very cost-effective insurance against major economic losses to a breeding enterprise.

Why Is Bull Testing Important?

-A recent study published by the Australian Cattle Vets which assessed the fertility of 221 bulls found that 110 bulls or 49.8% were at risk of being sub-fertile. In the same study, almost half of the bulls considered to be sub-fertile failed the examination and were considered to be unsuitable for use in that joining period.

- The economic losses incurred in a single joining season with low pregnancy rates can cost producers thousands of dollars.

- A bull with unknown fertility can affect herd reproductive performance and profitability well into the next decade.

When To Suspect Bulls Are Sub-Fertile or Infertile

- You should suspect a problem with your bull’s fertility if you are experiencing low pregnancy rates in your herd.

- The Australian Association of Cattle Veterinarians advise that for a bull to be considered ‘fertile’ he should be able to achieve, by natural service, a pregnancy rate of 60% and 90% in 50 normally cycling females, within three and nine weeks of mating, respectively.

- Having your herd pregnancy tested (Learn More about our Pregcheck Pregnancy Testing service here) can help identify problems early, so steps can be taken to address the issue to minimise the economic impact.

The Five Components Of Bull Fertility In The BBSE

The five components of bull fertility examined and measured in the BBSE are:

1. Scrotal circumference and testicular palpation

2. General physical exam and reproductive tract examination to identify bulls which are structurally unsound in the legs, feet, penis and sheath

3. Semen assessment to determine whether the semen is within normal range for motility, sperm mass and percent progressively motile. We use state-of-the-art crush side microscopy equipment to assess the semen.

4. Serving ability & libido

5. Sperm morphology testing - semen can be submitted to a laboratory for specialised sperm morphology examination using high power magnification (see below).

Sperm Morphology Testing

Morphology is a very important determinator of a bull’s fertility

Morphology in a BBSE is basically the ‘structure’ of individual sperm cells and a specialised microscope is required.

Morphology can affect the ability of individual sperm to move within the female reproductive tract, and the ability of sperm to fertilise an egg

Semen is submitted to a specialised sperm morphology laboratory using a specific transport media. We will notify you of the results when they arrive.

Wingham and Valley Vets strives to improve profitability and productivity for producers by promoting BBSE and enhancing the reproductive performance of females.

We identify herd fertility issues through accurate and early pregnancy testing

Learn More About Pregcheck