For livestock farmers, the productivity of a herd often begins with the quality and performance of their breeding bulls. Understanding how to select, evaluate, and manage bulls can make a significant difference in achieving breeding goals and improving overall herd genetics.
Delight Kgari, a senior research technician for national beef recording and animal scientist specialising in genetics and breeding from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), shares practical insights into bull performance testing, the importance of record-keeping, and how farmers, regardless of their location, can make informed decisions to strengthen their herd genetics.
What is bull performance?
For newer farmers unfamiliar with the concept, Kgari clarified that bull performance refers to how well a bull aligns with a farmer’s production goals, whether that’s meat yield, fertility, or adaptability to a specific environment.
She emphasises, “A single bull can sire (father) a lot of offspring at the same time, so its genetics spread widely in your herd. You need to know if that is going to be beneficial for your herd or not.”
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How bull testing works at Elsenburg
The Elsenburg Centre at the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, located in the Western Cape, hosts what is known as Phase C testing.
“Farmers bring their bulls, and we keep them under standardised conditions for 112 days, 28 days for adaptation, and 84 days for performance testing. At the end of the test, we assess how the bulls performed. Bulls that pass receive gold, silver or bronze branding and a performance test certificate,” explains Kgari.
For those who can’t bring their bulls to the centre, ARC also offers Phase D testing on farms, provided the farmer has the necessary resources and infrastructure. “The farms must meet certain standards and requirements, like having skilled personnel and proper facilities,” she notes.
Selecting the right bull
When choosing a bull for breeding, Kgari urges farmers to focus on traits of economic importance, those that directly impact the profitability, sustainability, and productivity of their herd. These traits play a significant role in determining whether the offspring will meet the farmer’s production goals. Selecting a bull without considering these traits can result in underperforming herds.
Key traits to select for include:
- Scrotal circumference: Fertility comes first. “Check your bull’s scrotal circumference, it’s linked to good performance or early puberty in that bull’s daughters,” she advises.
- Structural soundness and body conformation: “Feet and leg structure should allow for good movement, especially for natural service bulls.”
- Body condition: “You don’t want a bull that’s too thin or too fat. A moderate body condition score indicates good health.”
- Growth traits: These include birth weight, weaning weight, and average daily gain.
- Carcass traits: “Eye muscle area and fat thickness are important if meat is your produced commodity.”
Breed matters
Breed selection is crucial and should align with the specific environmental conditions in which a farmer operates. This is because cattle breeds vary significantly in their adaptability, resilience, and productivity depending on the climate, terrain, and available resources.
“Different breeds perform differently in different environments. In hot or harsh climates, choose indigenous breeds that have adapted to those conditions,” Kgari explains.
She emphasises that selecting a breed without considering environmental suitability can lead to poor performance, increased veterinary costs, and lower reproductive success. Therefore, farmers should assess their production environment carefully and prioritise breeds that are not only productive but also well-suited to their local conditions.
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The role of record keeping
Record keeping is non-negotiable in any successful livestock enterprise. It forms the foundation of effective herd management, genetic improvement, and informed decision-making. “It’s the core of it all. We can’t do anything without the information,” Kgari emphasised.
Farmers are encouraged to begin recording from the moment an animal is born. This includes assigning a unique identification number to each calf, documenting its birth date, the identity of both the dam (mother) and sire, and recording key developmental milestones such as birth weight, weaning weight, and growth rate. These records allow farmers to track each animal’s performance over time and evaluate the success of breeding strategies.
ARC guides producers in developing simple yet effective record-keeping systems suited to their operations. “We provide training on which records to keep and how to record them properly,” Kgari shares.
When and how often to evaluate bulls
Performance evaluation isn’t a once-off activity; it’s an ongoing process that should be integrated into a farmer’s regular herd management practices. Regular monitoring allows farmers to track the effectiveness of their breeding bulls and make timely, informed decisions.
“Evaluate at least three times a year, before, during, and after the breeding season. Check body condition, mobility, injuries, and signs of illness. After the breeding season, assess if the cows conceived successfully,” she advises.
When bulls begin to underperform, whether due to age or illness, farmers can pinpoint the causes through performance testing. “That’s why replacement breeding strategies are important, so you’re prepared when a bull reaches the end of its productive life.”
Buying a bull? Do your homework first
When it comes to purchasing bulls, especially at auctions, Kgari advises farmers to make informed and strategic decisions. Buying a bull is a significant investment with long-term genetic implications for the entire herd, so it should never be done impulsively or without proper preparation.
She recommends that farmers begin the process by clearly defining their production goals.
“First, define your production goals. Are you improving growth, carcass quality, or reproduction? At formal auctions, there’s usually a bull booklet with breeding values and performance test results. Highlight what meets your goals and rule out what doesn’t.”
Certificates and standards matter
To be accepted into the Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) performance testing programmes, bulls must meet strict health standards designed to protect the integrity of the testing process and the well-being of all animals involved.
One of the key requirements is a valid health certificate issued by a registered veterinarian. This certificate must confirm that the bull has been immunised against specific infectious diseases. “We don’t accept bulls that haven’t been immunised,” Kgari confirms.
In addition to vaccination records, bulls must be in good physical condition upon arrival. They are assessed for signs of illness, lameness, injury, or any genetic defects that might affect their ability to perform or skew test results.
Farmers without access
Kgari notes that farmers, even in remote or communal areas, can take the initiative to record their own herd data using simple tools like notebooks.
She adds that the ARC does engage with rural and smallholder farmers through initiatives such as the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KYD) Scheme, which focuses on supporting farmers in these communities. As part of the programme, officials travel to different regions to provide hands-on training, assist with weighing bulls, and guide farmers on basic record-keeping and animal management practices.
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