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Domestic News
October 15, 1924
The Fallon Standard
Fallon, Churchill County, Nevada
What is this article about?
The United States Department of Agriculture highlights the importance of exercise for valuable bulls to prevent sterility from confinement, offering methods like farm work, treadmills, play with barrels or blocks, pairing with younger bulls, and tethering to wires or sweeps.
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MANY DEVICES USED TO GIVE HERD SIRE NEEDED EXERCISE
Many a valuable bull is rendered useless by improper care and management, says the United States Department of Agriculture. The importance of exercise is often underestimated, and many bulls, after their value has been proved are found to be sterile or slow breeders, due largely to close confinement and lack of activity. This is more true of dairy bulls, perhaps, because of their temperament, which makes them more difficult to handle.
Regular exercise helps materially to keep the bull in good condition. Any method that will make the sluggish bull take exercise regularly and without over work is satisfactory. The main point is for him to get it. In some countries bulls are worked to haul manure, or to do any other farm work. Where there is only one bull special hitching arrangements for work on a cart may be made. Thus the bull not only gets his exercise but at the same time does useful farm work. A treadmill is sometimes used, but is not always satisfactory because the bull sometimes learns tricks for stopping the machine and needs to be watched.
A pen large enough and roomy for exercise may be all that is needed for some bulls, but others are lazy and need exercise. A young bull turned in the lot with an older one will usually cause the older one to take his "daily dozen." The younger bull will usually be active enough to keep out of danger if the pen is large enough to prevent his being cornered. The owner should use his judgment as to the merits of this plan.
Bulls may be induced to exercise themselves with an empty barrel or keg by rolling it around the pen. The keg may be left on the ground or hung by a rope or chain low enough so the bull can but it with his head. A block of wood, with the corners removed will serve the same purpose. Some bulls will spend hours playing with contrivances of this sort while others pay little attention to them.
When an exercise pen is not available, it is a common practice to tie the bull to ring which slides on a suspended wire or cable 75 to 100 feet long and high above the bull's head to prevent him from getting his foot over the lead chain, which should be 12 to 15 feet long. A revolving sweep will give the bull some exercise if he will use it.
Many a valuable bull is rendered useless by improper care and management, says the United States Department of Agriculture. The importance of exercise is often underestimated, and many bulls, after their value has been proved are found to be sterile or slow breeders, due largely to close confinement and lack of activity. This is more true of dairy bulls, perhaps, because of their temperament, which makes them more difficult to handle.
Regular exercise helps materially to keep the bull in good condition. Any method that will make the sluggish bull take exercise regularly and without over work is satisfactory. The main point is for him to get it. In some countries bulls are worked to haul manure, or to do any other farm work. Where there is only one bull special hitching arrangements for work on a cart may be made. Thus the bull not only gets his exercise but at the same time does useful farm work. A treadmill is sometimes used, but is not always satisfactory because the bull sometimes learns tricks for stopping the machine and needs to be watched.
A pen large enough and roomy for exercise may be all that is needed for some bulls, but others are lazy and need exercise. A young bull turned in the lot with an older one will usually cause the older one to take his "daily dozen." The younger bull will usually be active enough to keep out of danger if the pen is large enough to prevent his being cornered. The owner should use his judgment as to the merits of this plan.
Bulls may be induced to exercise themselves with an empty barrel or keg by rolling it around the pen. The keg may be left on the ground or hung by a rope or chain low enough so the bull can but it with his head. A block of wood, with the corners removed will serve the same purpose. Some bulls will spend hours playing with contrivances of this sort while others pay little attention to them.
When an exercise pen is not available, it is a common practice to tie the bull to ring which slides on a suspended wire or cable 75 to 100 feet long and high above the bull's head to prevent him from getting his foot over the lead chain, which should be 12 to 15 feet long. A revolving sweep will give the bull some exercise if he will use it.
What sub-type of article is it?
Agriculture
What keywords are associated?
Bull Exercise
Herd Sire Management
Dairy Bulls
Agricultural Advice
Usda Recommendations
Domestic News Details
Event Details
The United States Department of Agriculture advises on various methods to provide exercise to bulls, including farm work like hauling manure, using treadmills, large pens with younger bulls, play with barrels or blocks, and tethering to sliding rings on wires or revolving sweeps, to maintain their health and breeding value.