Page 12 - Merchiston Angus Catalogue ebook

BULL BREEDING SOUNDNESS EVALUATION (BBSE)

This evaluation comprises of the following:
1) Visual appraisal of the structure of the bull to ascertain if there are any major structural faults or abnormalities.
2) Service ability test on an in heat female.
3) Fertility examination of the bull including:
a) Palpation of the testicles
b) Scrotal circumference measurement
c) Palpation of the internal sex glands
d) Visual examination of the penis
e) Examination of semen motility
f) Examination of semen morphology.
This is carried out by a registered veteranarian and a person accredited to examine semen samples.

Buyer Responsibility

As breeders of bulls we can now guarantee that the bull you purchase is fertile at the date of purchase. However,
many things can happen when you get him home. It should be noted that the fertility of a bull can vary according
to his condition, his health and his general well being. As his new owner it pays to look after your new bull, feed
him adequately, give him access to good water and keep him in good health. Any major deviation could render him
partially infertile or even completely infertile. In other words as Bull Breeders we can never guarantee a bulls fertility
for life. It is up to you as his new owner to keep him fertile and as a safe precaution do a BBSE before mating every
year to pick up any problems that have arisen.
Remember, high fertility in cattle is the most important economic trait in the beef industry. Without a live calf with
which to work, all other traits are purely academic. The calf crops of tomorrow depend upon each and every bulls
fertility status, the bottom line is and will remain based on economic returns.

Semen Morphology

Morphology testing of semen involves the collection of a semen sample and its complete analysis by microscopic
inspection and evaluation. This cannot be done race side at the time of collection.
After testing of all our 2 year bulls for the last 16 years, 10% of them were either completely infertile (i.e. unable for
the sperm to fertilise an egg cell), or partially infertile (i.e. semen containing a greater number of abnormal sperm for
varying reasons). These partially infertile bulls are in the majority, many of them would be able to sire some calves
but a smaller percentage of cows would hold to the bull in the first cycle.
Any bull that achieves a Semen Morphology of 70% Normal is considered quite adequate for all breeding circumstances.
As the percentage Normal decreases so does the bulls ability to get cows in calf. It is vital to any breeding operation to
know that a bull has fertile semen, that when he serves, the cow has the highest chance of getting ‘in calf’. Results of
our testing would suggest that up to 10% of all 2 year bulls sold in New Zealand are either infertile or partially infertile.
All bulls offered for sale on 9th June are guaranteed fertile as of mid-May 2021. Baring physical injury they are
guaranteed fertile when you purchase them. Please feel free to discuss this issue with me on sale day if not before.
- Bulls testicles measured on 20th April 2021.

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