Confidence in bull fertility testing.
BULLCHECK™ is the Australian standard for Veterinary Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation, providing a trusted, objective assessment of a bull’s fertility by accredited veterinarians. Using standardised methods, BULLCHECK™ evaluates key fertility components to determine whether a bull has a high probability of performing successfully in a normal mating situation.
A bull sold as a breeding bull is expected to be capable of breeding. While a BULLCHECK™ pass is not an absolute guarantee, it offers buyers and sellers a clear, evidence‑based indication of a bull’s potential breeding value—helping reduce risk in breeding and purchasing decisions.
A comprehensive BULLCHECK™ assessment includes animal identification, relevant history, and evaluation of five core fertility components:
- Physical examination of structure and reproductive tract
- Testicular examination and scrotal measurement
- Semen collection and assessment of sperm motility
- Laboratory evaluation of sperm morphology
- Serving assessment to assess libido and mating ability, where indicated
The Australian Cattle Veterinarians recommend all five components be assessed for higher‑value bulls, including those intended for single‑sire mating or higher mating loads. Vendors and buyers can determine which fertility components best meet their breeding objectives.
BULLCHECK™ results are reported using Bull Reporter, a standardised format providing individual certificates or multi‑bull reports—delivering clarity, consistency and confidence.
With relatively low cost compared to advertising, feeding and selling expenses, a BULLCHECK™ is a smart investment in one of a bull’s most critical attributes: fertility.
There is only one way to have certified assurance for peace of mind and only one check looks at a bull’s overall fertility rating including its health, history and overall mating ability in a scientifically based consistent manner and that is the BULLCHECK™ from an accredited vet.
Demand TRANSPARENCY
Demand SPECIFICS
Demand a BULLCHECK™
DOWNLOADABLE PDF RESOURCES
BECOME...
Becoming BULLCHECK™ accredited allows veterinarians to deliver a nationally recognised fertility assessment and support best practice bull breeding across the industry. Accreditation is provided by examiners and use of the logo and certificates can only be used by accredited vets.
Why have your bull examined by an Australian Cattle Vet?
A bull examination is a tool that can be used for a number of purposes including, pre sale testing, research, insurance purposes and annual or pre mating testing. Whilst the first 3 of these reasons are self-explanatory, Australian Cattle Vets are often asked why pre mating testing is required. The answer is simple economics. By carrying out an examination on your bulls by a qualified and experienced Australian Cattle Veterinarian you have the potential to :
- Reduce the number of bulls required in your herd (reducing bull costs)
- Reduce the risk of lower pregnancy rates (improving productivity)
Your Australian Cattle Veterinarian can run through the specifics of this for your herd but the table below gives you a generalised example:
| VARIABLES | |||||
| Bull Purchase Price | $4,500 | ||||
| Bull Salvage Value | $750 | ||||
| Years used | 3 | ||||
| Cow Number | 100 | ||||
| Agistment Cost/wk | $4.50 | ||||
| Joining % | |||||
| 1.5% | 2.0% | 2.5% | 3.0% | 4.0% | |
| Value Bulls in Paddock | $6,750 | $9,000 | $11,250 | $13,500 | $18,000 |
| Cost Purchases/yr | $2,250 | $3,000 | $3,750 | $4,500 | $6,000 |
| less salvage value/yr | $375 | $500 | $625 | $750 | $1,000 |
| Cost Bulls/yr | $1,875 | $2,500 | $3,125 | $3,750 | $5,000 |
| Plus paddock cost/yr | $351 | $468 | $585 | $702 | $936 |
| TOTAL COST/YR | $2,226 | $2,968 | $3,710 | $4,452 | $5,936 |
As you can see there is a substantial cost benefit to running less bulls.
By running less bulls you can also run more cows!
An alternate way of looking at it is by running less bulls you can afford to buy better quality bulls as can be seen below:
| VARIABLES | |||||
| Bull Purchase Price | $6,500 | $5,000 | $4,000 | $3,250 | $2,500 |
| Bull Salvage Value | $750 | $750 | $750 | $750 | $750 |
| Years used | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cow Number | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Agistment Cost/wk | $4.50 | $4.50 | $4.50 | $4.50 | $4.50 |
| Joining % | |||||
| 1.5% | 2.0% | 2.5% | 3.0% | 4.0% | |
| Value Bulls in Paddock | $9,750 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $9,750 | $10,000 |
| Cost Purchases/yr | $3,250 | $3,333 | $3,333 | $3,250 | $3,333 |
| less salvage value/yr | $375 | $500 | $625 | $750 | $1,000 |
| Cost Bulls/yr | $2,875 | $2,833 | $2,708 | $2,500 | $2,333 |
| Plus paddock cost/yr | $351 | $468 | $585 | $702 | $936 |
| TOTAL COST/YR | $3,226 | $3,301 | $3,293 | $3,202 | $3,269 |
Sound bulls = more profitability
Ask your Australian Cattle Veterinarian for accurate advice on bull breeding soundness evaluation.