Management
and to have a successful, profitable business. Castrating
calves late accomplishes neither of these goals.
In five studies that examined weight at weaning, bulls
averaged only 7 pounds higher than steers that were cut
early (< 3 months). Studies also show the average gain from
implanting the suckling calf with a low-dose implant is 18 to
24 pounds. You can add the weight with none of the stress
with a suckling calf implant.
“
Dave Daley, administrator of the Ag Education and Research
Center at California State University, Chico, spoke at a National
Cattlemen’s Beef Association meeting a few years ago and said
we need to stop saying things like,
While there are many reasons “I take good care of my animals
it is profitable.” That
to be in the cattle business, two because
doesn’t resonate with the public.
that generally lead the list are
to provide the best care for the
animals and to have a successful,
profitable business. Castrating
calves late accomplishes
neither of these goals.
American Veterinary Medical
Association policy on
castration and dehorning: “Both dehorning and castration
should be done at the earliest age practicable.”
This is the science of when to castrate. Our leading
advisers all recommend castrating early.
As a cow-calf producer, don’t we want the stocker-
backgrounder and feedlot owners to make a very healthy profit
on our calves? The more profit made up the supply chain, the
more money they have to buy again next year. Every business
transaction needs to be win-win or that relationship won’t last.
What are additional reasons to castrate early? Improved
health for the calf as he moves to the next segment of
the industry, increased price per cwt for steers vs. bulls,
improved gain and feed efficiency, increased carcass
marbling and quality, and improved carcass tenderness.
The reasons to castrate late are as follows: none.
On the health side, KSU has kept data on 2,762 head of
high-risk steers and bulls that it has purchased for its
stocker research trials. The steers have had a 0.72% death
loss, while the bulls that were castrated at the yard had a
40 | FEBRUARY 2019
He suggested a more heartfelt
answer: “I take great care of my
animals because it’s the right
thing to do. I love working with
livestock and caring for them
regardless of the conditions
— season, weather or time of
day.” Many times, we do profit
from “doing the right thing,” and castrating early is one
of those “right things” that also raises our profit. I
“
These are the Beef Quality
Assurance guidelines on
castration: “All bulls that are
not herd-sire prospects should
be castrated as early in life as
possible. Early castration is less
stressful on bull calves. Preferably,
castration should occur between
birth and 4 months of age.”
2.28% death loss. On a 1,000-head basis, that is a loss of
seven steers and 23 bulls — over a 3x increase in death
loss. If you are a cow-calf producer selling feeder bulls,
this number should make you wince. I know it does me.
Hilton, DVM, PAS, DABVP (beef cattle) is clinical professor emeritus,
Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine; and a senior
technical veterinary consultant, Elanco Animal Health.
This article was reprinted with permission from the BEEF Magazine.