Steering a calf.

[Honeycreek Dexters]

It looks like I'm going to try for the first time to use the elastrater bands, I would like to know when others do this, as in how old or young is the calf? Flies are bad this year and I'm just not comfortable using the old cut and yank method.

[Cloverbell]

Our vet uses an "emasculator" that crushes and cuts but leaves very little blood. You can google it to see how it works. I know he does not like the bands because of various problems. The cut and yank method is what he uses when it cools down.

[Honeycreek Dexters]

Thanks I'll look that up at what age do you guys do this? With all of the rain we have had a bad year for flies and I'm concerned about them getting maggots in there and causing problems. Say where do you keep your cows? is it to the west of your place in what appears to be a large pasture with a small pond? (Goggle Earth)

[gene]

you can band the calf as soon as it hits the ground and until they are too large to get into your bander. simple to do. just make sure that both are in the bottom of the sack with the band above it.

gene

[copperhead]

Thats a good point, Gene. My vet bands them when I take them in for de-horning and vaccinations. I had one done last fall and he laid the calf on his side and I don't think both testicles were in the sack, and this calf had an awfull time. He was miserable, and so swollen, for a couple of weeks. This time a different vet worked on them and he got in behind the calf and banded with the calf standing up. No problem and within 6 days the sack is already dried up and going away. I'll make sure that thats the way it's done from now on.
P.J.

[Cloverbell]

"Say where do you keep your cows? is it to the west of your place in what appears to be a large pasture with a small pond? (Goggle Earth) "

Was that question for me?? Our pastures are on the eastern side of the barns so I'm thinking not? We do have a small pond that shows up though on Google Earth.

[Honeycreek Dexters]

at what ages do you guys do this my bull calves are a couple months old now and i don't know if that is to old. yes clover it is, goggle is not real accurate on physical addresses.

[jirwin]

is banding at 6 months, to late? I have and angus/hereford beef calf, in which was banded but it appears they only got one ball.

[Honeycreek Dexters]

ok then i'm gona doit, prob gona give a tetanus shot as cheap insurence.

[Honeycreek Dexters]

well the deed is done, i think he did the emasculate thing. no bands but a tool that looked like a very large pair of tongs. said they did not need shots and would be back to normal in a few days 40.00 and he came to the ranch.

[Cloverbell]

wow. That's cheap, and with the price of fuel these days....How do these guys/gals make any money? Vet school is harder to get into than med school I hear.