I recently spent $6,500 on a registered Black Angus bull, excited to add him to my herd and improve my breeding stock. He was everything I’d been looking for—a fine specimen with strong genetics and a commanding presence. I couldn’t wait to see the impact he’d have on my cattle.
But as soon as I introduced him to the herd, my enthusiasm began to wane. Instead of showing any interest in the cows, the bull simply wandered off and began grazing. Day after day, he ignored the cows entirely, content to munch on grass. Not once did he approach them or show even a flicker of interest in doing what I’d brought him here to do.
As days turned into weeks, frustration mounted. I’d spent a significant amount of money on this animal, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d made a mistake. Was he too young? Shy? Unfit for breeding? I couldn’t figure it out. It felt like I’d invested more in this bull than he was worth, and the return on my investment was looking bleak.
Desperate for answers, I decided to call the vet. When he arrived, he gave the bull a thorough examination. After checking him from head to hoof, the vet reassured me, saying, “This bull is perfectly healthy. He’s in great shape, but he’s likely just a little young and inexperienced.”
That was a relief to hear, but it didn’t solve my problem. Then the vet added, “I’ll give you some pills to feed him once a day. They should help get him going.” He handed me a small bottle of what looked like harmless supplements. I was skeptical but willing to try anything at this point.
The next morning, I followed the vet’s instructions, mixing the pill into the bull’s feed. I wasn’t expecting much, but within two days, I noticed a drastic change. The bull went from disinterested to unstoppable. He suddenly started “servicing” the cows—all of them! He was a machine, moving from one cow to the next with boundless energy.
Not only that, but he didn’t stop there. A few days later, he broke through the fence into my neighbor’s pasture and began breeding with their cows as well. The transformation was astounding, almost unbelievable. The bull I’d thought was a dud turned into the most active breeder I’d ever seen.
The neighbors weren’t exactly thrilled when they discovered what had happened. They called to let me know my bull had been paying their cows some unsolicited visits. I promised to reinforce the fences and keep him in check, but secretly, I couldn’t help but be impressed by his newfound drive.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I started wondering what exactly was in those pills the vet had given me. To find out, I decided to taste one for myself. Surprisingly, it had a mild, minty flavor, not unlike peppermint candy. I couldn’t believe something so simple could have such a profound effect.
Reflecting on the experience, I’ve learned not to jump to conclusions too quickly. I’d been ready to write off the bull as a waste of money, but with a little patience and the right help, he proved his worth and then some.
Now, my only challenge is keeping up with the repairs to the fences and ensuring the neighbors don’t hold a grudge. It’s safe to say the bull has more than earned his keep, and I’ll always remember the time I doubted him—and how he proved me completely wrong.