A:   A six-year-old beef bull that is still sound is a pretty good bull. A bull to female ratio of 1:32 is probably pushing the upper limit. This bull sound be able to cover 32 females in a 60 day breeding season. I assume that the mature cows will be the first to cycle in the breeding season and the 1st-calf-females to come in later because of their longer post-partum interval. So this should spread out the breeding intensity.

There are risks with single-sire pastures. If the bull gets hurt or goes sterile during the breeding season, this could result in a high non-pregnant rate. So I would suggest that you have a breeding soundness evaluation done by your veterinarian before the start of the breeding season. Also, during the breeding season, check cows and bull 3 to 4 time per week, in the morning when it is cool to make sure cows that are in heat are being bred and to make sure that the bull has not injured himself. Record the cows that are in heat and make a note. If they come in heat again, this may be a sign that there is a problem.

This is an awkward number of cows as it is pushing the limit for one bull to cover and too few to get another bull.