Best time to castrate steer

[EagleCreekCattle]

In our pasture, we have a calf that is almost 1 month old. He is the one that was picked for a show steer at our local county fair. What we were curious about- When is the best time to castrate him? Thanks!

 

[GoWyo]

Any time now.  The sooner the better if banding.  If knife cut, then sometime in next month or so.

 

[Simmgal]

Any time now.  The sooner the better if banding.  If knife cut, then sometime in next month or so.

We prefer to knife cut ours before they reach 3 months of age. I had a grader at the sale once tell me that the market around here prefers them to be knife cut, I assume to make sure they are really steered. Never really saw any difference in prices though. If banding, ASAP. Most people around here band at birth or as soon as they can get ahold of all the goodies that need to go in the band!

 

[EagleCreekCattle]

Our family doesn't believe in banding. We only cut our steers. Our neighbors say they cut at 1 month, but some of our friends tell us they cut when the steer is older (5 months). We've heard that cutting them when they are older makes it bloodier. Would 2 or 3 months be a good age?

 

[GoWyo]

We usually brand at 60 days of age +/- 15 days and knife cut no problem.  Have cut 500 pounders no problem with cowboy crew stretching them out, but prefer cutting when they are small enough to run through the calf table.

 

[peachy]

Cut them when they are a day old, easier on calf and yourself.

 

[SEA]

Day One...or ASAP  Least amount of stress on both calf and "cutter"!  LOL!

Our preference is "cut" over "band".  You always know when you "Pull out TWO"!  NO QUESTIONS and no "SHOATS" LATER!  Also, you get drainage.

Preferably, before or after "Fly Season".

"Get'er Done...!"