When Do You Band Calves?

Banding is the method by which bulls are castrated for farm use. Castration is the process of removing testicles from the male calf. Farmers do this for a variety of reasons including to prevent the production of both hormones and semen in the calves, to make them more tame and manageable, to control reproduction and mating, to enhance safety on the farm, and to manage the cost of caring for calves.

  1. Age

    • It is crucial to band calves at a young age. For the health of the calves, farmers band them between the ages of 4 and 10 weeks old. However, some farmers choose to band calves in the first three weeks of their lives. In addition, the season also plays a part in deciding when to band calves. Cooler months in the spring and fall are an ideal time to band calves because it reduces the risk of infection due to insect infestation.

    Elastic banding

    • There are physical, chemical and hormonal techniques for castration. Banding is the physical method for castration. It uses a an elastic band to cut of the blood flow to the testicles, which kills the testes.

      For calves 3 weeks old and younger, the tool used is called an elastrator band, which cuts off the blood supply to both the scrotum and the testicles. Eventually, the dead testicles fall from the calf, completing castration. Because calves need vaccinations prior to and after castration to prevent infection, it is not recommended that they be banded younger than 4 weeks old. This gives the calf enough time to respond to the vaccines.

      It is extremely important to properly restrain the calf during castration for the safety of both you and the animal.

    Surgical Banding

    • Some farmers choose to remove the scrotum surgically. This is referred to as "cutting the calf" and relates closely to what we think of when we neuter cats and dogs. While the calf is under anesthetic, a veterinarian or trained professional severs the spermatic cords and removes the testicles.

    Burdizzo method

    • Burdizzo is known as bloodless castration. In this method, farmers use a pressure-leverage tool, called a burdizzo, to crush and severe the spermatic cords. This method requires that you manipulate the spermatic cord to the side of the scotum and clamp the cord about 1 3/4 inches above the testicle. The instrument is held in place for three to five seconds. Then the process is repeated on the other side of the calf.