Steering and age

[Rob30]

Does anyone not steer their bull calves? I have a Welsh black/highland cross bull calf. I want to use him to breed my hereford cows once. I am hoping this will produce a unique black baldy cow with shorter legs, longer hair, and much hardier. I will keep all the hiefers from this breeding. After breeding I want to steer the bull. Put him to pasture for the summer then into the freezer in the fall.
Any problems with this plan?
Also, does anyone steer their calves at weaning instead of earlier?

[arcticow]

Why bother to castrate at all? It will set a breeding bull back so far it's not worth it in my opinion. Bull beef is just as tender and flavorful as any from a steer the same age. Just let him get grass fat and butcher him.

[topside1]

Rob, animals (calves, goats, sheep, zebra) owners can castrate at any age they want. The decision when is based on the owners plan for the animal and what's practical. Another major factor is the equipment you own to hold a larger sizes. Which technique you use to castrate also will help determine when the job gets done....Lots more but I think you understand. I castrate bull calves around 1 month old using the green bands...Topside

[Gregg Alexander]

Any age. I use a case knife

[mommahen2four]

Has anyone ever experienced a change in flavor from a bull vs. steer? We're also considering raising up a bull to breed our ladies, then slaughter for the freezer (not cost effective to over-winter a bull every year for 2 ladies, but we need the meat anyways, so it seems like a win-win), but I've wondered if the bull hormones can change the flavor? I'm thinking of the musky thing with goats/sheep...

[arcticow]

No, bull meat is not musky. If anything, it is leaner and has, IMHO a better flavor. I would rather have bull beef than steer beef, but it is a totally subjective thing... others will turn down bull beef and castrate an old bull before they eat him. Anything older than 2 that was cut used to be called a stag.

[arabian knight]

I "Band" just as soon as I can get those 2 into that band. The earlier the better. A week old if I can.
Even IF that steer is going to be in the freezer in 16 months, I don't need that steer to even THINK he is a bull.

[Callieslamb]

I have a jersey steer that is getting really pushy. I don't want to think of what he would be like if he were a bull.

[Shagbarkmtcatle]

We band and ear tag as soon as they drop on the ground and we find them. Then it's take care of.