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

Bulls were castrated surgically or using a Callicrate(TM) Bander (Bander) t o compare the effects on growth rate and liveweight. In Experiment 1, 20 bu lls were castrated surgically (SCasts) at 14 months of age and 19 bulls wer e castrated with the Bander (BCasts). Within 7 days of castration the BCast s 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 grou ps grew slower (P < 0.05) than steers castrated at weaning. There was no si gnificant 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 liv eweight 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 b e used on bulls less than 14 months of age.