I prefer to cut my bull calves. I am sure the job is done and it is easier on the calf. I see quite a few steer calves at the sales end up in the vets pen just to make sure!! If they are banded and look a little bully around the head they don't sell well at all.If weather and insects are not a problem what do the buyers in your area prefer? Mr. Wanda Mike
They prefer that they are cut. I have the vet cut ours at weaning. We also do all the vaccinations and all that for those health programs, though I never sign up for a specific one (green tag, surehealth, etc). We just make sure they tell people that they've had all their shots, etc. Jena
We clamp older calves here , sometimes band young bull calves if they are obvious culls right way , I rarely market through the sale barn , so that isnt a factor. The only ones that get cut , are the ones destined for club calves.... ( Yes , highlands are used for club calves too ...) paula
We have banded and cut both at different times. I prefer cutting only because I am certain we have the "job" done, versus banding with the concern of leaving a testicle. How much does your vet charge for cutting Jena? We have been doing it ourselves, but we have quite a large group of calves coming up to be done, and think it might be to our advantage to have our vet do it this time. Razorback21
Locally it has gotten to the point the price difference between weaned bull and steer calves doesn't justify castration by the producer. If the buyer's aren't going to pay a premium for steers, they won't get them. I had one order buyer tell me his buyers prefer bulls as they know they will do the job right themselves. It's just part of the receiving process.. Ken Scharabok
Ken In my area it runs a dime or more a pound for steers which is the profit so to speak on a big steer calf!! If they stay a bull long enough to get a bull look to there head you will really take a hit even when cut and fed out. I cant imagine an operator that would want the extra stress on calves going in the lot.A steer that has been cut leaves no doubt to a buyer and if they are healed up will never be a problem for them.If they feed many cattle I would think vet charge,extra care and increased death rate would make up the diferance in price.I wouldn't want cattle to have the extra stress if I could avoid it. your friend Mike
We have always banded and have never had a problem. But my husband always does it and makes sure its done right..
I clamp with Burdizzos. Once where the scrotum "buds" from the abdomen, give a slight twist and a gentle tug, then slide down and clamp again as close to the testicles as I can. This double clamp only takes a few seconds more and since I only do a few calves at at time it adds very few minutes to the job. This has always worked, never missed one.
We banded 500-600 calves every year and never had any problems missing any. If we had cut them it would have taken quite a bit longer. Bob
