(NAFB) – The impact of February’s brutal cold is starting to show up in breeding bulls, Oklahoma State University’s Mark Johnson, a professor of animal science and supervisor of the OSU Purebred Beef Cattle Center, says he is concerned about the fertility of herd bulls subjected to prolonged periods of below zero weather.

The damage could be permanent, but Johnson says it’s possible the bull could outlive the damage.

The decision to keep a bull requires patience as the vet may determine the bull could improve down the road if he does not check out satisfactorily today, so he may be worth holding onto for future breeding seasons.

The OSU animal scientist added cattle producers still have to turn out an immediate replacement that is going to get the job done now.