Maximizing Herd Fertility in Beef Cattle Production

Dr. Colin Palmer, one of our reproductive specialist veterinarians from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine here at the University of Saskatchewan  joins the podcast to discuss the important topic of subfertility in beef bulls.  Why do we need to perform bull breeding soundness exams? What are the implications of various factors such as lameness and other physical problems on bull fertility?  These are just some of the topics we discuss in this first part of a two part episode.

00:00 –Welcome and introductions

03:54 – Importance of herd fertility in cow-calf operations and factors that affect it

10:45 – Value of a limited breeding season

14:22 – Subfertility vs Infertility

16:08 – Importance of the breeding soundness examination of the bull

19:21 – Meaning of the various classification categories

27:22 – Impact of lameness on bull fertility

31:06 – Other factors that may affect fertility that can be identified in physical examination

34:23 – Summary and Wrap-up