Castration in Cattle

Castration of male calves is often a routine management procedure on many cattle farms. It is commonly carried out to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Castrating male calves allows for simpler youngstock management, and is also considered to reduce undesirable behaviours, such as mounting and fighting, that can impact on both animal welfare and the safety of personnel handling the animals.    

Castration, along with s disbudding/dehorning, is recognised to be painful, and farmers should consider if they need to carry it out. If it is carried out it must be done legally with the appropriate pain management and ensuring that animals are correctly castrated. With several finishers recently reporting greater numbers of heifers being in calf when they shouldn’t -, largely due to poor castration techniques - here is a reminder of what you need to know with regards to castration in cattle. 

Please note: Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966, it is an offence for anyone other than a veterinary surgeon to castrate calves over two months old. 

 

The 3 methods for castrating bull calves are: 

Rubber rings (elastrator)  

• These should only be used in the first 7 days of life 

• Must be done using a proper rubber ring applicator

Bloodless castration using a Burdizzo (Bloodless castration to crush the spermatic cords) 

• Permitted up until the calves are two months of age. 

• Can only be done by a trained and competent stock keeper  

Surgical/knife 

• Can only be carried out by veterinary surgeon using an anaesthetic.

 

Whichever method is used – there are some common considerations 

• Early castration is less stressful and generally has a lower risk of complications than castration.  

• Castration of older and larger animals is not without risks both to the animal being castrated and those handling them.   

• Stock personnel carrying out the procedure should be adequately trained and have access to appropriate handling facilities. 

• Ensure all equipment is clean and working as expected. 

• Discussion with your vet over the use of anaesthetics and analgesics is advised.
  • If administering local anaesthetic, it is imperative that adequate time is allowed for the anaesthetic to take full effect before the procedure begins.
  • There is good evidence that the use of analgesics is beneficial to animal recovery and productivity.

• Monitor animals closely following castration and if in doubt seek veterinary advice.  

• If housed ensure the animals have clean, dry bedding.  

• Post surgical castration (by your vet) checking for bleeding and/or signs of infection is important.  

• Check animals’ pre-sale or puberty to ensure castration is complete 

• Do NOT castrate animals that only have one teste descended, identify the animal and seek veterinary advice.