1) Off load your new bull in a secure camp with food and water and one or two cows to keep him happy and calm him down.

2) Keep him away from other bulls until he is settled. When this is done try and put him with an older bull. He is then unlikely to fight.

3) Although your bull comes from a tick infested area he can still get sick. This might be caused by the stress of a new area or the stress of transport. Try and see your new bull everyday for at least the first month.

4) During the Mating season

These are young bulls and will cut their teeth at 2-2.5 years old. This is while they are with the cows. A bull will lose weight during this time. If a bull loses too much weight he will become weak and will not be able to serve your cows. Try to give your bull a maximum of 25 cows in his first year. This applies to 2 year old bulls. Younger bulls should be given one cow per month of age.

5) After mating season

When the bulls come out the cows make sure you give them the best treatment that you can. These bulls are still growing and need to reach their full potential. Lots of good food will make sure he regains all the weight lost during the mating season. A well rested and fed bull will ensure a good libido for the next breeding season.

6) Before the next mating season.

Get a vet to fertility test your bull before the next season. At the same time have them tested for any venereal diseases. This is very important to do. An infertile bull will give you no calves. If you do not test it may take 9 months before you realize that there is a problem. By then you will have lost a whole seasons calves and your bank balance will be bad. Give your bull an energy supplement a month before he goes to the cows.

7) Always inoculate your bull according to your herd health program (Botulism, black quarter evil and anthrax are the main ones)

8) Remember that your bull is half your herd. No bull = no calves = no profit. Furthermore, every calf born is genetically 50% of your bull. It is thus important to always buy the best performance tested bull that you can afford.

Look after your bull and he will look after you!