Turning young bulls into productive herd sires

Environmental elements, of which herd administration types an integral half, exert a 70% affect on the efficiency of an grownup bull, whereas genetics account for less than 30%.

This signifies that the diet of young bulls is essential to making sure a top-performing grownup animal, in line with Dr Francois van de Vyver, nationwide technical supervisor at Voermol Feeds. He warns, nonetheless, that placing young bulls on high-concentrate rations may be detrimental to their future fertility and soundness.

Feed for muscle development
As bulls develop, their dietary necessities change. Mature bulls use vitamins primarily
for upkeep, whereas youthful animals require vitamins to assist development,
improvement and upkeep.

Nutritional necessities have to be met in full to develop rising bulls from weaning onwards, however feeding a young bull a high-energy weight loss program after weaning will end in speedy weight achieve, which might create a bunch of issues resembling a discount in semen high quality. In addition, an excessively fats bull shall be lazy and unhealthy.

Animals undergo totally different phases of development on the highway to maturity. “It’s therefore vital that animals are fed according to their nutritional demands at the different stages of tissue development,” explains Van de Vyver.

Young bulls want rations which might be excessive in crude protein (CP) to make sure the very best muscle improvement.

Muscle, which consists primarily of protein, develops quickly at a young age, which makes the selection of protein within the weight loss program crucial. According to Van de Vyver, the best is pure protein sources with little or no, if any, non-protein nitrogen (NPN) feed. If the power worth of young bulls’ feed is elevated excessively, the animals can develop copy issues resembling fats deposits of their scrotums, which might trigger a decline of their fertility.

Van de Vyver provides that using grains in young bulls’ feeding rations ought to be approached with warning, as a excessive share of grain can result in weight problems. Where grains are used, it’s best to mix them with pure high-calibre protein to permit for a reasonable development fee. Lick dietary supplements on good-quality veld are additionally an choice, however this implies the young animals will keep a gradual development fee and can take longer to succeed in the stage the place they’re prepared for inclusion in a reproductive herd.

A young bull ought to be match and athletic, not fats. Van de Vyver due to this fact recommends a each day ration that’s 1,5% to 2% of physique weight and comprises 12% to 14% CP.

“Breeders would be well advised to make sure the animals have plenty of free-choice forage. The rule of thumb is to feed a 14% CP ration until 14 months of age,” he explains.

Bulls must also not be allowed to grow to be too lean, as they may endure from the identical copy issues as overfed animals. At the start of the breeding season, the best physique situation rating (BCS) for a bull is 3,5 on a five-point scale.

A bull with a BCS of two will obtain a breeding soundness analysis (BSE) of 55%, whereas a BCS of three to three,5 will obtain a BSE of 72%. At a BCS of 4, an excessively fed bull could have a BSE of 66%.

Genetic potential and correct feeding
In Van de Vyver’s opinion, one of many largest errors a breeder could make is to chase excessive development charges in any respect prices. He says that the respective breed society requirements ought to be adopted diligently so far as development charges are involved.

A bull’s development ought to be decided largely by its genetic potential coupled with correct feeding. If the dietary wants of a bull from weaner to yearling should not met, its development fee shall be diminished, and this might result in delayed pubertal improvement.

Bulls are sometimes backgrounded or intensively fed in preparation for reveals and auctions. Buyers of such bulls ought to give the animals time to adapt to their new environments and house to train; this can assist to make sure the very best copy charges. Bulls ought to due to this fact not be bought too near the breeding season.

“The fertility of bulls fed specifically for shows and auctions is not permanently affected [by such feeding], as long as they were fed according to their nutritional requirements during growth and development,” says Van de Vyver.

Lick dietary supplements
Turning to a young bull’s mineral and vitamin necessities, Van de Vyver recommends using a traditional three-phase lick complement programme that kicks off with a phosphorus and trace-element lick (often known as a phosphate lick) on inexperienced veld in summer time.

Although animals will decide up weight when the veld is inexperienced, a phosphorus deficiency can restrict development.

A winter protein lick is advisable to forestall weight reduction through the extra taxing winter months, whereas protein and power licks are really useful to forestall weight reduction in late winter and early spring.

Van de Vyver factors out that an animal’s dietary wants are decided by its physiological wants in addition to environmental elements. Large-framed beef cattle breeds’ dietary calls for are clearly greater than these of small-framed breeds due to their upkeep necessities.

Environmental elements resembling temperature, humidity and terrain, amongst others, additionally have an effect on the dietary necessities of livestock, together with young bulls.

The power necessities of animals stored in very chilly situations and those who should stroll nice distances will differ from the wants of animals from extra temperate areas and those who don’t must stroll far.

“My advice to beef cattle producers is firstly to select animals that are adapted to the areas and environments they farm in. Secondly, look after the animals’ growth and development from an early age so that they will eventually become top performers. You can’t change an animal’s genetics, but you can manage the environment it grows up in by feeding it accordingly,” says Van de Vyver.

Communal farmers
Managing young animals may be difficult for communal farmers. Van de Vyver means that they work collectively to handle and preserve the veld and permit elements of the grazed veld to relaxation for a season or two. If this isn’t doable, an alternative choice is to kraal young bulls in a single day with a provide of roughage resembling hay, in addition to the related licks.

Van de Vyver says using protein licks in communal farming considerations ought to be critically thought-about due to the poor and restricted grazing accessible to cattle in most communal farming areas. Protein licks, and even those who comprise NPN, for that matter, should at all times be fed along with ample provides of roughage.

Production licks are invaluable earlier than breeding season and when animals are in poor situation.

“Because it’s difficult for communal farmers to stick to specific breeding seasons, I strongly recommend that they follow the three-phase lick supplement programme, and allow the quality and availability of the veld to guide them,” he says.

Email Francois van de Vyver at [email protected].