LSU AgCenter
For many beef cattle producers, evaluating breeding soundness of their herd bulls is often an overlooked practice. Selection of bulls based on genetic potential is one of the most progressive ways to improve the beef herd. However, bulls that do not properly settle cows contribute to reproductive inefficiency and lost income — no matter how genetically superior they may be. Performing an annual bull breeding soundness exam (BBSE) on every bull in the herd is the only way producers can predict with relative certainty that their bulls can adequately service the cow herd during the breeding season.