Bull Semen Testing
- kateleighanderson
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 2
Protect Your Livestock Breeding Program with Veterinary Precision
Why Bull Fertility Testing is Essential for Dubbo Producers
In cattle breeding programs, much of your herd’s reproductive success rests on the
performance of your bulls. A single subfertile bull can drastically reduce conception rates and cost you an entire season’s productivity.
For cattle producers in Dubbo and the Central West NSW, veterinary bull semen testing
is the most reliable way to safeguard breeding success. By ensuring your sires are healthy, fertile, and capable of achieving high conception rates, you protect the profitability of your entire herd.
What Does Bull Semen Testing Involve?
Veterinary bull semen testing, also known as a Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation
(BBSE), is a comprehensive assessment of a bull’s ability to achieve pregnancies.
A full veterinary fertility evaluation includes:
Physical Examination: Assessing body condition, mobility, eyes, feet, and reproductive organs.
Scrotal Measurement: An indicator of sperm production capacity and genetic fertility potential.
Semen Collection and Analysis: Evaluating semen volume, concentration, motility, and morphology.
Reproductive Tract Examination: Checking for abnormalities that may affect fertility.
General Health Check: Identifying any disease risks that could impact the bull or herd.
The result is a clear fertility status report, giving you the confidence to use only proven bulls\ in your breeding program.
The Benefits of VetLed Bull Semen Testing
Maximise Conception Rates: Only fertile, healthy bulls are put to work, reducing wasted joining opportunities and lifting pregnancy percentages.
Avoid Costly Infertility Losses: Identifying sub-fertile bulls before joining saves you the expense of carrying empty cows and the loss of valuable calves.
Improve Genetic Outcomes: By selecting only highfertility sires, you strengthen your herd’s genetic base and improve future productivity.
Protect Herd Health: also screen for reproductive diseases such as vibriosis, which can silently reduce conception rates.
Support Sale Preparation: For studs and seedstock producers in Dubbo, providing fertility tested bulls builds buyer confidence and market reputation.
Why Veterinary Expertise Matters
Bull fertility testing is a precise process. Without veterinary skill and laboratory support, results can be misleading or inaccurate.
At Central West Genetics our Dubbo veterinary team provides:
Accredited Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluations (BBSE)
State-of-the-art semen analysis for accuracy
On-farm testing services for convenience
Tailored fertility management programs
Advice on nutrition, biosecurity, and bull management
Our veterinary approach goes beyond testing — we help you design a fertility plan that
ensures every breeding season delivers maximum results.
Timing and Frequency of Bull Fertility Testing
Pre-joining: Ideally, bulls should be tested 6–8 weeks before joining. This allows
time to replace or treat any sub-fertile animals.
Annually: Bulls should undergo semen testing every year, as fertility can decline due
to age, injury, or disease.
Presale: Stud breeders benefit from having bulls fertility tested before sale, adding
credibility and buyer confidence.
Common Questions About Bull Semen Testing
Is semen testing stressful for bulls?
No. The procedure is low-stress when handled by experienced veterinarians, and bulls recover quickly. We offer manual testing to reduce the stress on the animals.
Can a bull fail one season and pass the next?
Yes — fertility can fluctuate with nutrition, illness, or injury. Regular annual testing ensures accuracy.
What percentage of bulls usually fail testing?
Studies suggest around 10–20% of bulls tested show reduced fertility, highlighting the
importance of vet checks.
Does testing guarantee 100% fertility?
While no test can guarantee 100%, vetled BBSE significantly reduces the risk of subfertile bulls entering the breeding program.
Protecting Your Herd’s Fertility with Veterinary Support
For Dubbo and Central West cattle producers, bull fertility testing is one of the smartest
investments you can make. With veterinary semen testing, you can be confident that your breeding program is set up for success.
At Central West Genetics, we offer accredited, reliable, and convenient bull semen testing services across the Dubbo region.
Contact our team today to book bull fertility testing and safeguard the productivity of
your next joining season.
