Castration of Cattle

1. Castration of Cattle Animal Science Kristal Zimmers

2. Review….. http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/ansci/g02016.htm

3. Objectives • Define the term castration • Identify the reasons for castrating cattle • Indicate the best age to castrate cattle • Describe the methods of castration in cattle • Identify the correct way to care for cattle after castration • Demonstrate the open wound method of castration

4. What is castration? • Definition: removing the testicles of a male animal • The functioning of the testicles is stopped by preventing the production of the male hormones so that the animal is unable to reproduce

5. Why do we castrate cattle? • To prevent them from mating after they reach puberty • Steers are usually more docile and easier to handle than bulls. • Steers are also not as rough on equipment and are easier to manage as new individuals added to feedlots. • Steers are finished earlier (fatten quicker) than bulls because fat deposition occurs at a faster rate than in bulls.

6. Why do we castrate cattle? • Steers produce a carcass with finer texture of lean and more marbling • Beef marketing system favors steer carcasses. • Steer carcasses can be marketed through a greater number of channels than bull carcasses. • Steers can be mixed with females in pasture or in lots without causing any management problems • Eliminates possibility of using inferior bulls

7. When to Castrate • Can be done at any age up to 12 months • Better to do when animal is very young (before 2 months of age) • Older calves tend to suffer a greater set back from the castration (which cost the producer money) • Easier to handle animals when they are young • Avoid extremes in weather. Too hot, too cold, or wet days should be avoided.

8. Sanitation • In all techniques the hands and castration instruments should be sanitized between each calf to prevent the spread and/or introduction of infection.

9. Methods of castration in cattle • Burdizzo • Rubber rings (elastrator) • Open wound castration (emasculator or knife)

10. Burdizzo • Spermatic cord and blood vessels leading to the testicles are cut • Testicles tend to stop functioning for a while and then stop functioning and degenerate http://encyc.bmezine.com/?Burdizzo

11. Burdizzo cont’d. • Calves can be castrated when the spermatic cord can be clearly felt (from about 1 month onwards) • One spermatic cord should be clipped at a time • It is important to clip the two cords at different levels so that the scrotal sac will receive enough blood • Otherwise it will become gangrenous • Make sure that the spermatic cord is between the burdizzo blades

12. Advantages to Burdizzo castration • Bloodless • Infection or maggot infestation seldom occurs

13. Rubber rings (elastrator) http://www.qcsupply.net/scalhookblad.html

14. Rubber rings (elastrator) • Rubber rings are put on (using elastrator) between birth and about 10 days of age • If applied later, the calf could get tetanus or a general infection • Animal also feels more pain and this decreases growth • Ensure that both testicles are in the scrotum before applying the ring

15. Disadvantages of rubber rings • This elastrator bands can break and castration may not occur. • Sometimes a testicle can be missed and be retained in the belly cavity, resulting in a stag.

16. Advantages of rubber rings • Calves are easy to handle and little labor is involved • Bloodless method

17. Open wound castration (emasculator or knife) http://www.midstateswoolgrowers.com/acatalog

18. Open wound castration (emasculator or knife) cont’d. • Before the operation, the person doing the operation must wash their hands well, the instruments must be boiled and the scrotum disinfected thoroughly with iodine or another suitable disinfectant. • Apply antibiotic powder and fly repellant

19. Open wound castration (emasculator or knife) cont’d. • A sharp knife is used to remove the lower third of the scrotum • Each testicle is removed from its supporting membranes • Do not remove too little of the scrotum or it will not drain well • Emasculator has a cutting and crushing surface • Instrument is placed on the spermatic cord and the vascular supply closed so that the testes are removed

20. Open wound castration (emasculator or knife) cont’d • Excessive bleeding is prevented by the action on the vascular tissue • If a knife is used, the cords should not be cut “cleanly”. • Instrument is held at an angle and scraped over a distance of about 30 mm, until the cord breaks (prevents too much blood flow) • Better to use emasculator than knife

21. Which castration method to use • Determined by the preference of the operator, age and weight of the calf, and the time of year the procedure is being performed.

22. Aftercare • Turn calves in with their mothers in a clean grass pen. • Do not turn into muddy or filthy lots or lots around barns (where there is much danger of infection) • Watch cattle closely for about 10 days after castration

23. Aftercare • Beware of fly attacks and infection (especially with emasculator method) • Treat wounds with wound aerosol which discourages fly attacks • If swelling and pain are severe and/or if the animal develops a temperature, a suitable antibiotic should be injected

24. References • http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/ansci/g02016.htm • http://encyc.bmezine.com/?Burdizzo • http://www.qcsupply.net/scalhookblad.html • http://www.midstateswoolgrowers.com/acatalog • http://wwwnda.agric.za/docs/Beef-castrate.pdf