What is the best way to castrate a calf?

What is the best way to castrate a calf?

The rubber band castrating method for calves takes about a week. There's another method for mature bulls that takes slightly longer, but uses the same principle.

How do you band a bull calf?

Place the rubber band on the elastrator. Hold the elastrator with the prongs facing up. Close the handles to open the band. With the calf standing and both testicles in the scrotum, stretch the ring open and slip the open band up over the scrotum.

How do you surgically castrate a calf?

Castration can be performed surgically or non-surgically. Surgical castration is performed by making an opening in the scrotum and removing the testicles. In baby calves, the bottom 1/3 of the scrotum is removed by a horizontal incision with a sharp blade or scalpel (figure 1).

When should you brand calves?

Branding is done when the calves are 2-3 months old – before they are turned out to pasture.

How much does it cost to castrate a bull?

The financial benefit of castration and implantation (the per-head price difference between steers and bulls) averages $81 for calves between 550 and 750 pounds; $30 for 550-pound calves; and $154 for 750-pound calves.