Two field trials were conducted to compare
two different band-castration techniques
with surgical castration of calves and yearlings.
In Trial I, the bull calves were surgically
castrated or banded with Elastrator®
rubber rings and compared with calves purchased
as steers. Purchased steers gained
faster (P<.05) during the 33-day receiving
trial than bulls castrated by either method, but
no difference was observed in percentage of
sick calves.
In Trial II, yearling bulls were surgically
castrated or banded with the EZE® Bloodless
Castrator device. Yearlings purchased as
steers gained faster (P<.05) than EZE-castrated
bulls during the 110-day trial. Bulls
castrated by either method required more
medications (P<.07) than steers. In both
trials, there was no advantage to banding
compared with surgical castration of bulls in
terms of gain or health.
