Dairy steers-when to castrate/dehorn

[Jcran]

My two dairy calves are chugging along. I put their birth date somewhere around May 18th, one maybe a week older. I plan to use the elastrator to castrate them. Can I do it as soon as their testicles drop? When can I dehorn them? My vet said at 2 months old....I thought someone else said 3 weeks. I've got cdtet vaccine and covexin to give at castration and/or dehorning. Does that work on cows? BTW, I have never been "goosed" so much in my life. When oh when will those little buggers stop harassing me! They follow me around the pasture, bump/goose/slime/slime, ewwww! I definitely don't wear my school clothes out to feed!

[topside1]

Joan, I band and burn all in the same day @ 3-4 weeks of age. The longer you wait the stronger they are, two months no way. . I never band before 3 weeks to much un-needed stress on the animal.

[Up North]

Agree with topside. But...if you are burning the horn buttons this time of year it is ok. If, however, calves get older and require scoops to cut horn spikes out of skull, then one would be wise to hold off dehorning till fall after a couple of hard frosts.
Have fun getting slimed :baby04:

[agmantoo]

I band beef calves at 3 to 4 days of age. Past that I cannot catch them. I banded one today, he did not even flinch. Never do I notice any irritation or unusual reaction to applying the band. Ear tags are a different situation. I put an ear tag in and he gave a short bawl and here came momma.