Effect of method of castrating bulls on their growth rate and liveweight

Bulls were castrated surgically or using a Callicrate(TM) Bander (Bander) to compare the effects on growth rate and liveweight. In Experiment 1, 20 bulls were castrated surgically (SCasts) at 14 months of age and 19 bulls were castrated with the Bander (BCasts). Within 7 days of castration the BCasts had large wounds above the band. Growth rates were lower (P < 0.01) over the first 29 days after castration for BCasts than for SCasts and both groups grew slower (P < 0.05) than steers castrated at weaning. There was no significant difference in liveweight between groups 108 days after castration. In Experiment 2, 10 bulls were castrated surgically at 8-9 months of age and 10 bulls were castrated with the Bander. BCasts grew slower (P < 0.05) over the first 35 days after castration than SCasts, resulting in lower liveweight for BCasts than SCasts (P < 0.05) 35-122 days after castration. No lesions occurred in the BCasts. The banding technique does not prevent the slow growth rates found after surgical castration and banding should only be used on bulls less than 14 months of age.