During the past 3 years we have bought 4 batches of steers from 3 different breeders . Of the 12 cattle purchased we have had a problem from each breeder with cattle that have not been castrated properly . Most problems were caused by incorrect application of rubber rings and in one case a surgical castration that caused issues. We have a good outlet for finished steers to a butcher who will not take bull beef and also beef for freezer packs , we have sold bull beef as freezer packs however we are not prepared to repeat this as the quality of beef is inferior to steer beef as it lacks finish and is darker in colour .
When purchasing cattle off farm it is not always possible to determine if animals have been castrated properly unless they are restrained in a crush, however I will insist on this on all future purchases. I would like to stress to breeders if they want a good market for their steers please ensure that the animals have been castrated correctly. All the steers we purchased were at least 12 months old and although the breeders sold them to us as steers, I am sure they would have had doubts about the effectiveness of the castration as it was apparent to us as soon as we got them home and they mixed with other cattle on the holding.
Mark S
Brereton Dexters
Castration
Re: Castration
We put rubber rings on our calves but we always make sure we have both testicles in first, dexters can be very difficult sometimes to find two, if this it the case they must be left and castrated by a vet at a later date. I don't think banding is something to think, its easy, if in doubt get the vet to cut them when they are older.
Quite a few people have put young bulls into the rare breeds sale at York and they never make the same money as the steers and I can see why. However at least they are sold as bulls so you know what you are bidding for
Quite a few people have put young bulls into the rare breeds sale at York and they never make the same money as the steers and I can see why. However at least they are sold as bulls so you know what you are bidding for
Re: Castration
It's not always easy to get both in first time with a rubber ring, but it is easy enough to know when you haven't and before letting the calf go! Always have a sharp knife to hand & start again if need be - it's a lot easier with two people, preferably with one holding the calf (at both ends) and the other operating the pliers and making sure both are in there before letting the ring go.
Bulls entered in sales and in private ads are a constant bugbear of mine as it immediately devalues them by 50%, I can't understand why anyone would do that, unless they are being sold as breeding animals. We don't mind killing bulls from a meat point of view but it just makes on farm management so much more difficult, not being able to mix heifers with the steers, so if I buy one bull I really need to have another nine to make it worth calling the vet out.
Bulls entered in sales and in private ads are a constant bugbear of mine as it immediately devalues them by 50%, I can't understand why anyone would do that, unless they are being sold as breeding animals. We don't mind killing bulls from a meat point of view but it just makes on farm management so much more difficult, not being able to mix heifers with the steers, so if I buy one bull I really need to have another nine to make it worth calling the vet out.