research article
Effects of castration age and diethylstilbestrol on weight gains in male calves
authors
S. W. Thurber, University of California
J. R. Dunbar
D. P. Smith
publication information
California Agriculture 20(10):12-14. DOI: 10.3733/ca.v020n10p12.
author affiliations
Sam Thurber is Farm Advisor, Agricultural Extension Service, University of California, Shasta-Lassen county office; John Dunbar is Farm Advisor, Humboldt County; Dean Smith is Farm Advisor, Inyo-Mono county office. Alex Shockley, statistician, conducted the statistical analysis for this study.
abstract
Age at castration appears to influence growth rate of male cattle. The higher pre-weaning weight gains of bulls suggest that the male hormone is an influencing growth factor. However, post-weaning weight gains are lower in bulls castrated at eight months, which tends to nullify their pre-weaning advantage. Stress caused by the operation may have been a factor in this response. Differences in weight gains associated with diethylstilbestrol treatment were obtained whenever used in these tests. This is a progress report of experimental use of diethylstilbestrol in tests with early and late castrates to improve weight gains—a practice not presently recommended by the University of California.
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