Elastic band castration (banding) is the most commonly used castration technique for cow-calf operations. When done properly, the procedure is quick, requires minimal restraint, is less invasive than surgical methods, and eliminates the need for stitches. It’s also simply less stressful for both the animal and the handler.
Jodi Suchoplas, a seasoned Manitoba rancher with over 20 years of experience, is something of an expert on the process. In fact, she’s the inventor of a tool called the “TestiGrip,” which turned heads last year at the Manitoba Ag Days farm show in Brandon.
In January this year, Suchoplas was asked back to Ag Days to share her knowledge of the banding process. She even invited audience members to participate in a banding demonstration using a plush calf she named “Shorty.”
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Tools of the trade
Suchoplas began with a quick rundown of the different types of banding tools that are available and how to choose which is the best for the job.
The economy bander is probably the most commonly used by producers, she says. It’s easy to operate and can be used with just one hand. Not only is it the least expensive elastrator on the market, but its replacement bands are also the cheapest.
“But I recommend that you get new bands every year, because if they dry out and crack, they’re going to break off,” she says.
They are good for younger calves and can also be used on sheep and goats.
The premium bander is similar to the economy bander, but slightly better quality. The opening is also a little bigger, making it more efficient for calves that need a little bit more spacing.
The next bander Suchoplas discussed was the Tri-Bander, which is a little bit bigger and, as such, works well for slightly larger calves.
“This is my personal favourite bander,” she says. “And the elastics that go with it are way more durable.”
Finally, the XL Bander, as the name implies, is ideal for larger calves. It is all metal and very durable. It’s the largest bander Suchoplas uses on her operation.
Getting down to business
Suchoplas emphasizes the importance of correct band placement and advises only banding if both testes are fully descended in the scrotum. The band should be released around the scrotal neck — the narrow area where the scrotum meets the body, just above the testes. And she also stresses the importance of being careful not to catch the teats in the band.
“This is very important, especially if you’re banding a calf that’s standing,” she says. “You might not be able to see correctly, and when you release, it could catch one, which then becomes an open wound that could become infected.
Banding a calf lying down
Suchoplas says banding the calves while they’re lying down is the preferred style on her farm. It’s a one-person job, so in order to hold the calf in place and stop it from thrashing around and kicking, she tucks the calf’s top leg under her own leg to help restrain the calf.
“Then once you’ve gathered both testicles, open the bander and slip the band over them,” she explains. “If you pinch in between the testicles, it helps push them down lower so that they stay in place.”
Sometimes a producer will encounter a calf where one testicle may be retained due to tightness in the muscle, Suchoplas notes. In these cases, massaging the muscle gently can help encourage the testicle to descend, while holding tension behind it to guide it into place.
“Lots of times you’re going to need somebody to help you hold it in place,” she says. “Once we open that bander, they just want to slip back on us.”
Suchoplas also stresses the importance of making sure a band is properly placed.
“It just takes seconds, but it saves us so much hassle. If we catch it, we can cut the band off and start over,” she says, but adds that if the band is not placed correctly, it can result in a retained testicle — often referred to as a ‘belly nut’ — which would require surgical removal by a veterinarian.
Banding a calf standing
The only calves that get banded standing are older calves that, for various reasons, weren’t able to be banded earlier, Suchoplas says.
“We like to use a chute system and always make sure when they’re in the chute to restrain the calf correctly,” she says, adding that to prevent kicking, the farmer should bend the calf’s tail over its back in a firm but controlled manner.
Ranchers may run into situations where one or both testicles remain retained in the animal’s body.
“If you’re having trouble getting both testicles into position, you can bring one down, close the bander, and then apply gentle pressure on the other testicle to help it descend,” she says.
For larger calves, Suchoplas stresses it’s essential to use the correct size of bander, such as the XL-Bander described above. Using a bander that’s too small could not only cause injury but also prevent the band from effectively cutting off blood flow to the testicles, leading to complications.
It’s important to understand, she says, that trying to send an animal to market that wasn’t properly castrated is a big mistake.
That advice is for anyone who thinks an animal has good muscle tone, or is growing well — or that the market won’t catch a belly nut.
“They catch everything. If they don’t catch it, they’re in trouble,” Suchoplas warns. “They don’t want to see those rugged bulls, or bulls that have a belly nut and are kind of scruffy-looking with too much hair underneath; they’re always going to notice them.”
