Recently, I invested $6,500 in a registered Black Angus bull, excited to improve my herd’s genetics and overall productivity. From the moment I saw him, he looked like exactly what I needed—healthy, well-built, and with all the physical traits of a high-quality sire. I brought him home with high hopes, anticipating a positive impact on the herd through better calves and improved breeding consistency.

However, things didn’t go as planned. As soon as I introduced the bull to my cows, his behavior was completely unexpected. Rather than showing any interest in the cows, he wandered off to graze alone. Days went by with no signs of mounting, chasing, or even interaction with the herd. At first, I thought he might just be adjusting to the new environment, but after a couple of weeks with zero signs of breeding behavior, my initial excitement turned to concern.

There are a number of possible reasons this could be happening. One of the most common is infertility or extremely low libido, even in bulls that are registered and come from top genetics. It’s rare but not unheard of. Another possibility is that the bull is too young or immature to be an effective breeder. If he’s under 18 months old and hasn’t had much exposure to cows before, he might simply not be ready to perform yet, even if he looks physically mature.

Environmental or social stress could also play a role. Being moved to a new farm, adjusting to different feed, or facing dominance issues with other animals can all cause bulls to behave differently. Sometimes bulls need time to acclimate, but if they’re not comfortable or confident, they may not show breeding behavior. Additionally, even if a bull appears healthy on the outside, there could be undiagnosed health issues or physical discomforts—such as lameness or internal pain—that are affecting his performance.

While less common, sexual preference has also been noted in bulls, where some individuals show more interest in other males than females. Though rare, this could explain the lack of response to cows in heat. Regardless of the reason, it’s important to take action quickly. A breeding soundness exam (BSE) conducted by a veterinarian can help determine if the bull is fertile and physically capable of breeding. It’s also wise to review the terms of sale, as many reputable sellers offer a fertility guarantee within a certain time window after purchase.

In the meantime, it’s crucial to document the bull’s behavior and closely monitor your cows to ensure none are being bred. If no signs of mating are evident, you’ll need a backup plan—either by leasing a proven bull or using artificial insemination to avoid missing the breeding window. Although the situation is frustrating, there are still options available to protect your herd’s productivity. With the right steps and quick decision-making, it’s possible to recover from this setback and avoid a complete loss of the breeding season.