Bulls - specifically vasectomised bulls for the purposes of this article - are the best heat detectors out there. They even catch silent heats that you would miss with systems without them.

Here we will talk about the merits of keeping a vasectomised bull on your operation.

Because you see the visual signs of heat does not necessarily mean you have to AI them then and there.

Sometimes they may be coming on, and thus not ready to be bred yet, and sometimes they are just after heat and you are too late.

With each missed heat costing a dairy farmer €250 and a suckler farmer €149, it is vital that you not only know the signs of heat, but what stage of it they're at.