Ask the Vet
How to Stop a Bull From Nursing Cows
DTN is rerunning this column from our archives because it's still relevant and useful advice.
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READER QUESTION:
We have a 3-year-old Angus bull that keeps nursing the cows. We tried a product called "Kant-Suk Calf Weaner," and it worked for about eight days, but it came off. I can't find anything recommended specifically for bulls. There are lots of barbaric treatments on the internet, but I am not comfortable with any of them. Do you have any suggestions?
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DR. KEN MCMILLAN'S ANSWER:
If this bull runs with cows all year long, my first step would be to remove him and work toward a controlled calving season. This solves the problem for now, and the behavior may not return when he is added back to the herd.
I have detailed the many advantages of a controlled calving season numerous times in the past, but I want to stress that it is the foundation of managing a cow/calf operation. Every other management practice is linked in some way to a controlled calving season.
What this bull is doing is a bad habit at any time, but if he nurses a cow prior to calving, her calf may not get adequate colostr...