Bull and Ram Fertility Testing

Enhancing Herd Fertility

Published on: Aug 2, 2023

We spend lots of our time as vets and farmers checking if our female animals are pregnant. Regular fertility routines are the norm for most dairy herds and are becoming more popular for beef herds, especially those wanting to tighten their calving pattern. For sheep flocks, pregnancy scanning ewes is a vital management tool. But what about the bulls and rams?

We are carrying out increasing amounts of fertility testing on bulls and rams. Knowing if your bulls or rams are fit to work is essential. Infertile and sub-fertile bulls can extend your calving period and cause more returns and negative pregnancy diagnoses. Rams must be on top form prior to tupping to help ensure a tight, successful lambing season.

The actual fertility test is like an MOT and a good way to ensure unsuitable animals are not used for breeding. The bull or ram has a full clinical exam, checking teeth, heart, lungs, body condition, limbs, feet, conformation, and general health. The testicles are palpated and measured. The penis is examined for any defects. A semen sample is then collected and analyzed. Usually, we do this with an electroejaculator which is used rectally to stimulate internal sex glands to produce a sample of semen. Sometimes an artificial vagina can be used for this; however, this requires a female in heat which can be difficult to obtain. Once the semen sample is collected, we then analyze it under the microscope. We assess the density of the sample, progressive motility, and morphology of individual sperm. Sometimes natural mating ability may also be assessed.

If you want to know more about bull or ram fertility testing, then have a chat with one of our farm team. We bring all the kit needed to the farm for bull fertility testing. For rams, you can bring them to us at the practice, or we can come out to you.