USING IMMUNIZATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE

IMMUNIZATION

• suppress male hormone production, reduce testicular development and result in steer-like carcasses
• Growth and carcass characteristics of the immunized animals are similar to steers
• techniques are easier for the operator castration is less stressful on newborn calves concerns for animal welfare related to castrating older calves
• produce docile cattle that are easier to handle compared to bulls
• avoid discounted price that packers pay for bull carcasses

IMMUNIZATION

• enhance on-farm safety for animals, producers and employees
• decrease aggressiveness, mounting activity, injuries, frequency of dark-cutting carcasses
• provide meat products of the quality consumers demand
• historically, tame oxen for draught purposes