When to cut your bull calves?

[cjr]

When is the best time to cut bull calves age wise?

 

[forbes family farms]

October/November or late September

 

[hamburgman]

if u don't keep bulls, then the day they are born.  Easiest on the calf and you, easier on cows also.  Some studies have shown bull calves to shorten the time a female stays in the herd, take them for what u think they are worth.  Also cut and don't band them when they are born is the rule around here.  jmo

 

[LostFarmer]

I cut everything in mid May before the flies get bad here.  I don't keep or raise bulls so it is never a debate. 

 

[flatwoodscattle]

The younger the better we run 2000 head of stockers and when we buy them off the market 85% are not cut it takes a toll on them to cut them at 400 lbs I cut my personal calves when I find them after they are born that way they never miss a lick. Sooner the Better

 

[ploughshare]

The earlier the better, but I would not recommend cutting the steers on the day they are born.  The testicles have not yet descended and you have essentially created a short scrotum bull.  I would wait until a couple of weeks and then cut them.  Flies will only survive in dead tissue and I have not had an issue.  I have cut calves as late as 205 days and they get along ok, but its harder on the older calves then the younger calves.  I prefer to band them young rather than wait and cut them, but I have done both.  With older calves you will have no choice but to use a knife.

 

[QMC]

three years ago I banded a 16 month old bull after he ran with 10 cows.  when he was finished he sold the same as the rest of the fat cattle that day.  I don't know what % of the time it would work out that way.

 

[stkrdge]

you never know when the next great one might come along so be selective.

 

[showstick09]

The earlier the better, but I would not recommend cutting the steers on the day they are born.  The testicles have not yet descended and you have essentially created a short scrotum bull.

Would what you are saying also apply if you banded a calf the day it was born?

 

[ruhtram]

We always cut 3-4 weeks before we wean calves

 

[sjcattleco]

the callacrate bander is a very good investment!! 

 

[Alscows]

Amen, calicrate all bull calves while giving first round of vaccines.  Actually this weekend after our show/sale is over.

 

[crozz]

Full Moon

 

[rasor club calves]

when u cut them older they grow better i've heard we cut wen we wean , mid sept. , most born march to april. we cut the show steers with every one else