A bull for your block?
Managing the risks, understanding your options, and making better decisions
Bulls are powerful, unpredictable, and potentially deadly. Every year, people are injured or killed by bulls on farms and lifestyle blocks. No matter how "friendly" a bull may seem, never forget what it is capable of.
A mature bull can weigh over 500 kilograms and accelerate from a standstill to 30 kilometres per hour in a few strides. No person can outrun or out-muscle that. If he knocks you down and keeps going, broken bones are the least you might suffer.
On lifestyle blocks, bulls often stay on well into December. During the holidays, friends and family may visit, and the risk increases. Bulls must always be treated as a top-tier safety hazard. Never trust a bull, and never handle one alone.
Why so-called friendly bulls are dangerous
Pet bulls are particularly dangerous. Raised without fear of humans, their play includes butting, pushing, and testing boundaries. A playful nudge from a bull can crush ribs or damage internal organs. If he gets you on the ground, it may be too late.
Many injuries happen when bulls are separated from cows. That is when they are most determined to return to their herd. No fence or yard gate is enough if it is poorly built or designed without escape gaps for humans. Gates should have reversed top hinges to prevent them being lifted and flung by a charging bull.
Do you really need a bull?
There are many good reasons to avoid keeping a bull on your block:
Bulls are expensive to buy and feed
They break fences, gates, and occasionally neighbours’ property
They fight with other bulls and bellow for hours at unseen rivals
They become territorial and aggressive with age
They can carry and spread venereal diseases
They may lose fertility or libido without obvious signs
You will need to replace him regularly to avoid inbreeding
You may still face late calving due to delayed oestrus in cows
In short, bulls are high-maintenance, high-risk animals. If you are new to livestock or working with limited facilities, seriously consider alternative breeding options.
Alternatives to keeping a bull
Artificial Insemination (AI or AB) is widely used and allows access to high-quality genetics without keeping a bull. It requires good heat detection and proper facilities, but many lifestyle farmers find it worthwhile.
Leasing or borrowing a bull is another common option. Ensure the bull has been tested and certified free from diseases before allowing it onto your property. Leasing reduces long-term cost and removes the year-round safety risk.
Taking your cows to a neighbour’s bull is a third option. You’ll usually pay a grazing and service fee. Again, confirm the bull and the host herd are disease-free.
Bull sharing can work if well-coordinated, but your calving may be delayed by weeks depending on when you get the bull.
Buying a bull
If you do choose to buy, get advice from a stock agent or reputable breeder. Expect to pay $2000 or more for a good two-year-old bull. Rare or performance-recorded animals can cost far more.
Look for:
Good feet and legs, with no stiffness or misshapen claws
Large, loose testicles with no signs of scarring or injury
Meat concentrated in the rear, not the shoulders
True-to-type conformation for the breed
Avoid horned bulls unless they have been dehorned by a vet. Horns are a major injury risk to people, fences, and other stock.
Ask for performance records if available. Negative EBVs for birthweight reduce calving difficulties. Positive EBVs for later weights improve growth rates in offspring.
Managing the bull before, during, and after mating
Before mating, give the bull time to settle. Keep him in a secure paddock with company, out of sight and sound of other bulls. Check he respects electric fences and gates.
During mating, watch closely for lameness, exhaustion, or failure to serve cows correctly. If you notice unusual behaviour or a lack of interest, he may have fertility or libido issues. Contact your vet or the seller if you suspect a problem.
After mating, remove the bull to avoid unwanted late pregnancies and escalating safety concerns. Aim to have him off the cows 283 days before you want calving to finish. Keep him in a paddock with other stock, and monitor his condition.
Beware of phantom pregnancies and late calving
Some cows fail to cycle due to poor body condition, heavy lactation, or prolonged suckling. In both dairy and beef systems, this can lead to extended mating periods and a false sense of success. The bulls keep working long after they should be gone.
Recent reports describe "phantom pregnancies" where cows appear pregnant after AI but later cycle again. This may be due to early embryo loss, possibly linked to high milk production and poor nutrition.
A bull left with cows too long increases the spread of calving, creates biosecurity risks, and becomes a growing safety hazard.
Final thoughts
Bulls are sometimes necessary, but they are never to be taken lightly. If you do decide to keep one, invest in strong infrastructure, solid handling systems, and good animal management. Never work bulls alone and never assume a quiet bull is a safe one.
If you can manage without a bull, it is often the safer, more economical option. Whatever route you choose, plan carefully, prioritise safety, and stay alert.
