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Abstract
Aims. To identify the methods used to castrate calves and the age at which castration is carried out on farms in New Zealand.
Methods. A survey was carried out by questionnaire sent to the 14,000 recipients of “Meat Matters” produced by Meat New Zealand. The questionnaires on return were analysed on a national and regional basis.
Results. Of the 3,788 respondents, 74% (2,825) castrated calves on their farms. Of these 2,825 respondents 85% (2,403) used a rubber ring, 18% (512) carried out surgical castration and only a few respondents, 25, used a clamp.The ring was used on calves with an average age of 2.2 months and 93% of calves castrated by ring were castrated during the first 3 months of life. Surgical castration was carried out on calves with an average age of 4.3 months, 54% of them were castrated in the first 3 months of life and 39% during the following 3 months. Respondents from the West Coast (40%), Otago (38%) and Southland (50%) were more likely to use surgical castration than respondents from elsewhere (<17%). Local anaesthetic was used by only 3% (94) of respondents and a similar percentage employed a veterinarian to do the castration.
Conclusions. There are marked regional differences in methodology used for castration of calves. The survey gives a sound basis for future research into humane and cost effective methods.