Without a doubt, castration is an extremely valuable management practice. Research has long reinforced the benefits of castration to mitigate unwanted behavior, prevent unwanted pregnancy and benefit carcass development.

Currently, the use of pain mitigation in beef cattle is sporadic at best. With limited approved and labeled drug product options available to alleviate the effects of procedures such as castration and dehorning, it’s difficult to navigate the various pressure points and establish a realistic path forward.

When it comes to raising cattle, management practices vary vastly between producers as they work to accomplish the goals of their operations and meet market demands.