Does a beef calf need to be neutered?

[Love my Critters!]

My husband is bringing home a calf to raise for beef. I have not seen him yet, but he is suposed to be small. Does he need to be "banded" for the meat to be better or is it okay to leave him intact? Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[sara]

You don't HAVE too. However I would suggest that you do, personal preference, I think a steer is easier to work with. I like them cut, but I do band some.

 

[Love my Critters!]

Thanks,
I do not have experience with cows. Everything else, just not cows. I guess I will need to call the vet and see what they charge or which proceedure they prefer to do. I've never done it myself and definately do not want to harm the little guy. Do you think it helps the taste of the meat?

 

[Katy]

Like Sara said you don't have to. Steers as a rule are easier to work with since they don't get those teen age hormones going. Some of the best meat we ever butchered came from a young bull tho. We used to castrate with a knife but now we band almost all our calves at birth. If you've never castrated anything or he is much past newborn you'd probably be better off to take him to the vet to have it done.

 

[greyfields]

You don't have to, but there will come a point where you wish that you did.

 

[SittinPretty]

I would reccomend it. They are usually better to work with, and the meat from a steer isn't as tough when processed compared to a bull.

 

[Skyesrocket]

I would band him. You can get an elasticator and bands at your feed store. Under $20. You can band at 250 pounds. It isn't hard to do and the calf doesn't seem to experience much pain. They cow kick a couple of times and then forget about it.
He will be easier to handle and keep around as a steer.
Just be sure that he has everything dropped before you release the band. I do mine while they are eating. I start petting them and make sure they are relaxed.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

I would not leave him a bull if I planned on beefing him. It's just asking for a headache.

 

[gumpsgirl]

My dad bands his every time he gets one, because like you've already heard, they are much easier to work with. My dad gets a newborn calf every year and raises him up. He says you can't do any better (meat wise) than a hand raised steer.

 

[Chatychick]

I band mine as like everyone says the steers are easier to handle. I usually band mine at 6 mths old but some do it sooner.