What are the correct methods for introducing breeding bulls?
As the saying goes: “A good cow benefits one calf, a good bull benefits a whole herd.” Especially with the growing popularity of artificial insemination with frozen semen, the quality requirements for breeding bulls are getting higher and higher, and their importance to improving and upgrading the entire herd has become even greater. Therefore, for cattle farms, when going out to purchase and introduce breeding bulls, farmers must pay attention to the following points.
I. Preparation before introduction
Before introduction, the isolation barn should be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and left empty for at least one week or more. Sufficient forage, feed, anti-stress drugs, and drugs for treating common diseases should be prepared, and feeding management personnel and professional technical staff should be arranged.
II. Selection of breeding bulls
1. Pedigree requirements must be clear. Pedigree records are an important way to compare the quality of cattle. Therefore, the introducing farm must have production records and pedigrees, and the records must be detailed, such as production performance, growth and development, and appraisal grade, with at least three generations clearly recorded. Those with incomplete records must not be purchased.
2. Quality requirements. Choose those with obvious breed characteristics, and appearance and coat color meeting breed requirements; obvious male characteristics, normal reproductive organs, and two large and symmetrical testicles; well-proportioned structure, tall body size, robust constitution, and upper-middle body condition; obvious but not protruding hip bones, ribs slightly visible but not prominent, and dewlap visible but not abundant; semen quality meeting standards, and no obvious defects in body shape and appearance.
III. Selection of breeding cattle farm
Be sure to choose a breeding cattle farm that is large in scale, highly reputable, has a Breeding Livestock Production and Operation License, has sufficient breeding supply capacity, good after-sales service, and a relatively high technical level.
IV. Transport precautions
1. Choose good weather for transport.
2. Thoroughly disinfect the transport vehicles.
3. Complete quarantine procedures.
4. Drive the vehicle smoothly, and make the cattle as comfortable as possible during transport.
V. Isolation feeding
After arrival, thoroughly disinfect the body surface of the breeding bulls and the transport equipment with a mild disinfectant, then rinse clean with water, and enter the isolation barn for isolated feeding. Strict epidemic prevention measures must be taken to avoid introducing diseases. After 45-60 days of isolation observation and another quarantine inspection, they can be mixed into the herd for feeding only after being confirmed disease-free.