The Long haul to qualify as a Briarwood Bull begins with no assistance if he is born out of a cow; minimal aid if out of a heifer. We prefer that he be born in the first 45 days of the calving season because that is an indicator of added fertility. Once he hits the ground he needs to get up, nurse on his own and be free of any major illnesses.  BWF bulls are weighed, tagged and tattooed when they are born.  Prior to weaning, bull calves are poured for internal and external parasites and vaccinated with a 7-way Black Leg / Somnus, Pneumonia and a killed BRD vaccine.  At weaning the bulls are weighed and hand fed for a couple of weeks before being freeze branded, poured and administered another round of vaccines, this time utilizing modified live BRD.

From the start and throughout development, we evaluate for growth, disposition, structural soundness, (including feet and legs) and testicular development. We will steer 50% or more of our bulls, and if an animal is lacking in any one of the previous mentioned conditions, he will be steered. Those still in the running are hand fed for two more weeks before being moved to a 25 acre fescue pasture. The bulls have access to grass and/or hay all the time.  The first 30 to 45 days they also receive Purina Accuration®, corn and pelleted soybean hulls. The last 90 days they receive a ration with a protein supplement that has a limiter, corn, soybean hull pellets and pelleted corn gluten.  We like for the bulls to gain around 3.5 pounds per day with less than .5 inches of back fat. If at any time between weaning and yearling they happen to get sick or injured, they are culled.

Breeding Soundness Guaranteed

Then shortly before our sale the bulls are examined for breeding soundness.

As you can see it is not an overnight process, but a 12 to 18 month ordeal to make the “Long Haul” to be a Briarwood Bull.  We do all this with great care and seriousness, so you can have a superior bull for many years who will sire outstanding calves in your herd.