PURPLE RAIN GAME BREEDING PROJECT UPDATE - ROAN BULL RE-INTRODUCTION
Our roan breeding bull was moved back into the breeding camp with the females in the first week of July.
He was removed from the breeding camp for a period of time until all the breeding cows had given birth. By removing the breeding bull until the females had all given birth and then only introducing him to the females again we were preventing early mating to take place and ensuring that the females synchronize their calving. The timing of introduction of the bull is also extremely important, if he is introduced to early in the season, the females would give birth in the high summer when the tick load is high and the risk of the calves getting theileria is increased. If the bull is introduced to the females too late in the season, the females would give birth in the colder months and the chances of the calves then dying of pneumonia is increased. By introducing the bull in the beginning of July the breeding females are expected to give birth in April/May, when the tick load is decreased and the temperatures not too cold yet.
