Study looks at effect of castration on stockers (Research)

Texas A&M researchers studied the effects of time of castration on production and profit in stockers grazed on native range in the Rolling Plains of Texas. The study included 279 calves (average initial weight of 475 pounds) in five loads from Central, North, and West Texas auctions; 49 percent were bulls castrated within 24 hours of arrival. Cattle were received in December, preconditioned for 35 days, and then grazed until July–August. Sickness in newly castrated calves was 60 percent, compared to 25 percent for steers already castrated. New castrates gained significantly less (1.42 pounds/day vs. 1.64 pounds/day) and had lower gross returns ($192.19/head vs. $216.04/head) than those already castrated.

1. Feeder cattle review: Choice beef prices keep rolling higher
2. Ag markets diverge just before the long holiday weekend
3. Armyworms eat fescue pastures, hayfields
4. Commentary: New rules un-COOL
5. Oil edges up on book squaring, but posts big weekly drop
6. Cattle theft and brands

1. Commentary: New rules un-COOL
2. Former Eastern Livestock CEO, CFO sentenced for federal crimes
3. TSCRA works with sale barns to catch Houston cattle thief
4. More beef cows in worst drought regions than a year ago
5. Post-tornado composting a solution for disposal of dead livestock
6. Michigan hay buyers should plan purchases early

1. Commentary: In praise of animal foods
2. What’s on America’s grill this weekend?
3. Meat industry associations quick to attack the new MCOOL rule
4. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
5. NASA backs 3D food printer to feed growing population
6. Commentary: New rules un-COOL