Hot iron dehorner

Reasons For Dehorning

• reduce the risk of injury and bruising to herd mates
• prevent financial losses from trimming damaged carcasses caused by horned feedlot cattle during transport to slaughter
• require less space at the feed bunk and in transit
• decrease risk of injury to farm workers, horses and dogs
• decrease risk of death, illness and setback by dehorning young calves versus older calves
• gain a price advantage by offering hornless cattle at auction
• produce docile cattle that are easier to handle
• decrease aggressiveness at the feed bunk
• enhance on-farm safety for animals, producers and employees
• facilitate easier use of handling facilities

Dehorning Age

Dehorning at a young age minimizes hazards to the calf, the cow-calf producer, and the feedlot owner. Hazards for calves and owners include:

• sickness or death following dehorning of older calves
• decreased liveweight gains in the weeks following dehorning of older calves
• loss of productivity

Many producers choose to dehorn new-born calves because:

• techniques are easier for the operator
• dehorning is less stressful on newborn calves
• of concerns for animal welfare