Calf age dictates castration method
by Marion Seymour,
KONDININ GROUP
ull calves are castrated at a young age to
prevent the development of secondary
sexual characteristics and associated
behavioural problems.
Most markets discount bull meat and any
steers showing staggy characteristics such as
bullish necks.
Behavioural problems associated with bulls
and incorrectly castrated steers include
fighting and riding which reduces growth rates
and is a particular problem in confined spaces
such as feedlots.
There are obvious reproductive problems
associated with running inadequately
castrated bulls with heifers or cows, and
management problems containing them to the
right side of the fence.
Some markets do prefer entire animals such
as the live export market to some Asian and
Middle Eastern countries. Leaving the
scrotum intact when castrating is sufficient for
some markets preferring an unspoilt animal.
Before castrating, check how a particular
market prefers their steers.
It is preferable to castrate bull calves before
they are six months old. The younger the calf
the less the setback. Castrating at weaning or
on introduction to a feedlot puts the calf in a
double-stress situation and reduces growth for
several weeks.
At six to nine months, depending on breed,
bull calves will start to develop secondary sex
appearances and attitude. Delaying the job
will reduce the benefits gained from
castration.
Castrating late may improve the growth rate
of the calf because of the effect of the natural
B
FIGURE 2 Castration methods
Nicole Baxter
LIVESTOCK
Cattle
Animal health
Castrating bull calves at a young age reduces stress and decreases the chance of any setbacks to
the calves’ growth.
testosterone but this benefit is generally
outweighed by the market discounts and the
set-back in growth if calves are left more than
six months.
The choice of method for castration is
dependent on the age and size of the calf, the
operator’s experience with different
techniques and the presence of flies.
There are three generally accepted
techniques: elastrator rings, bloodless
emasculators or Burdizzos, and cutting with a
knife or scalpel.
Elastrator rings
Elastrator rings can be used on calves from
birth until they are six weeks old.
The elastrator works on the principle that it
cuts off the blood supply to the testicles and
scrotum below the ring, both of which will
drop off about two weeks after application.
After six weeks there is too much tissue for the
elastrator ring to cut off the blood supply to
the testicles effectively.
Calves less than three days old can be
caught in the paddock and the ring applied
without much resistance from the calf.
If practising this method always be on the
look-out for the cow which is normally
protective and can be aggressive.
Older calves may require some restraint;
tying the two back legs and one front leg is
adequate for a one-person operation.
Alternatively one person can hold the legs
stretched out while the other applies the
elastrator.
Applying the elastrator involves stretching
the ring in the elastrator applicators and
placing both testicles in the scrotum through
the ring. Ensure both testes are through
before releasing the applicator.
The benefits of this technique is that it is
bloodless and simple. But the disadvantage is
elastrators can cause tetanus and if the ring is
incorrectly applied one or both testicles can be
missed, resulting in a stag. Tetanus can be
avoided by vaccination.
Another less common problem is the ring
may break, especially if the tin has not been
stored in a cool place. As the maximum age
for using an elastrator is six weeks, several
yardings for marking will be necessary unless
calves are being caught in the paddock within
a couple of days of birth.
Emasculators
Emasculators are suitable for calves up to
six months of age. If calves are older than
this it is recommended the castration is
performed by a veterinarian with the use of
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FARMING AHEAD No. 99 - March 2000
Surgical method
The third method of castration is the
preferred option and involves the surgical
removal of the testicles using a sharp knife or
scalpel. This can be performed on bulls of any
age but only by a veterinarian if the bulls are
FARMING AHEAD No. 99 - March 2000
James Bourchier
an anaesthetic, whether using emasculators
or cutting.
Emasculators are a bloodless method of
castration. The principle is to crush the
spermatic cord, cutting off the blood supply to
the testicles which are subsequently resorbed.
The scrotum remains intact.
Before using emasculators ensure they
meet when they are closed. Then take hold
of one testicle at a time, identify the spermatic
cord and bring this to the side of the scrotum.
Apply the emasculator as high up the
spermatic cord as far away from the testicle
as possible.
Use one hand to hold one handle of the
emasculator with the other handle resting on
your lower thigh or knee. With the free hand
check that the spermatic cord is in place
and that no other tissue such as the calf’s
tail or inner thigh is caught and squeeze
the emasculators together. Hold for a
few seconds.
Repeat this procedure for the other testicle.
Push the spermatic cord to the other side of
the scrotum to avoid crushing the same piece
of skin twice. If the skin of the scrotum is
over-crushed it may die.
This technique is best performed on a
standing calf as the upright stance allows
better access to the testicles. The calf can be
restrained in a calf race with one person in
behind the calf holding its tail upwards and
towards the head while leaning into the calf’s
flank. Be careful not to apply too much
pressure in case the calf’s tail is broken.
A calf crush as used for branding can be
used. But it is slightly harder to bring the
testicles down when the calf is on its side.
Alternatively, the calf can be thrown on its
side by roping one front and one back leg on
the same side and stretching the calf until it
falls over. Then tie the legs to poles while one
worker holds the head and the other one
performs the castration.
Where three workers are available one can
hold the head while the other holds the back
feet stretched out while the calf is castrated.
Very young calves can be restrained by tying
two back and one front leg together, allowing
one person to perform the operation.
The benefits of using emasculators are that
the technique is bloodless and avoids the fly
problem which occurs with the open cutting
technique; it can be performed on older calves
with elastrators and the scrotum is retained,
which is desirable for some markets.
But if the emasculators are incorrectly
applied or do not meet well there is the
possibility of some testicular material or whole
testicles remaining, resulting in a stag with all
the undesirable characteristics of a bull.
LIVESTOCK
Animal health...
The method used to castrate bull calves depends on the age and size of the calves, the operator’s
experience with different castration methods and whether flies are present. Do not castrate calves at
weaning or at the same time as introducing them to a feedlot, as the extra stress will reduce calf growth
for several weeks.
more than six months old. The method does
produce blood and must be performed with
regard to cleanliness. The knife needs to be
sharp and disinfected between calves.
Allowing good drainage of the scrotum
post-operatively is essential and it is important
that the calves are encouraged to walk around
after surgery.
The most common method is to take hold of
the bottom of the scrotum with one hand and
make a neat cut up to one third from the
bottom of the scrotum. If vertical incisions are
made on each side they must go to the bottom
of the scrotum to allow good drainage.
The testicle is then gently pulled and freed
from the connective tissue. The spermatic
cord is cut as high as possible. This process is
repeated on the other side.
Emasculators can be used to sever the cord
and reduce the bleeding if preferred. Ensure
emasculators are clean.
After castration an antiseptic can be
sprayed on the open end of the scrotum, and if
flies are present an insect repellent needs to be
sprayed on.
The methods for restraint are the same as
for the use of emasculators, again with a
standing position preferred.
This technique repeatedly causes least
setback in weight gain and it is clearer that the
testicles
are
completely
removed.
Disadvantages associated with it are blood
attracting flies and therefore it is not
recommended in bad fly conditions.
Poor technique can allow pooling of blood if
insufficient drainage is provided and delayed
healing. Also it is possible to leave some
testicle behind if the cord is not cut high
enough resulting in a stag which is very
difficult to recastrate later.
A relatively new method has been
introduced into Australia for castrating older
cattle. A device called the Callicrate Bander
works on the same principle as the elastrator
but with a much stronger rubber band.
This method uses a strong rubber cord and
a specially designed application device. The
cord is stretched over the scrotum above the
testicles and tightened by a ratchet mechanism
and locked into place with a metal clip.
Cattle can be operated on standing in a
crush with the nearside hind leg tied back.
This technique could be used in older cattle
instead of using a knife and open castration
(for example, on bulls arriving at a feedlot
entire or in stud bulls culled before the
two-year-old bull sales).
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