Effect of castration timing, technique, and pain management on health and performance of young feedlot bulls in Alberta

Abstract

A total of 956 feedlot bulls were randomly allocated to one of eight castration groups based on a combination of castration timing, castration technique and pain management options. Bulls castrated at allocation had a higher occurrence of undifferentiated fever (UF) (P=0.086) and a higher proportion of yield grade Canada 3 carcasses (P=0.002) than those castrated at 70 days post-allocation. Bulls castrated using a band had a lower occurrence of UF (P=0.021), improved average daily gain (live weight basis P=0.056 and carcass weight basis P=0.048), dry matter intake-to-gain ratio (live weight basis P=0.075 and carcass weight basis P=0.066), and higher proportions of quality-grade (QG) Canada Prime carcasses (P=0.018) and QG Canada A carcasses (P=0.020) than bulls castrated surgically. There were no significant (P≥0.100) differences in animal health or feedlot performance between bulls given analgesia and anesthesia and those that were not. This study suggests that band castration is superior to surgical castration, and delayed castration is beneficial in bull calves with high risk of developing UF.