Banding calves with Lidobands

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Joel Mateo

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Does anyone have any experience with Lidobands? Our vets here in Mexico say that banding calves is not a good idea, that surgery is preferred. We saw this product on Amazon and the guy recommending it says they actually put on weight unlike regular banding because the calves aren't licking it all the time and in pain and possible infection because they leave it alone.
 
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I've never seen my banded calves licking. They may lay around more than normal the first couple days, but as long as I get them up and walking around, I haven't had an issue. The older bull calves that get banded may have a little more discomfort, and I'll pour on a dose of Banamine Transdermal. Make sure they're vaccinated for tetanus and wormed. Side note: my bull calves are steered at appx 3 months when we work the entire herd.

As far as the claim the calves will "put on weight", I'd read between the lines and suggest the banded steers aren't grazing as much for a few days (and may lose a few pounds), as opposed to "normal" daily gain. Or nursing, if you're banding at birth and they're not yet grazing.
 
Joel Mateo said:
Does anyone have any experience with Lidobands? Our vets here in Mexico say that banding calves is not a good idea, that surgery is preferred. We saw this product on Amazon and the guy recommending it says they actually put on weight unlike regular banding because the calves aren't licking it all the time and in pain and possible infection because they leave it alone.
Click to expand...
They're website information doesn't say that they "put on weight unlike regular banding"... it simply says that "castration leads to an increase in average daily gain"... and then goes on to suggest that because of the lidocaine administration, lidoband castration will be easier on the animal. They also suggest that "banding" is preferable to cutting them, because of no open wound (I might still question that, but particularly if you're doing young calves, there's very little chance for an open wound. I use the California bander on larger critters, and even after the scrotum falls off, you can still have an "open wound" that needs healing. Could be a concern in screwworm country. I don't band mine till fall freeze-up, so flies aren't a concern for me.

I'm keeping a herd bull from my group each year usually... and so I like to see how they're developing before I band 'em. Plus I "hope" that the testosterone will actually give me stronger gains through that first year.
 
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For me on calves born here its so much easier on me and on the calf to band at birth. Bought calves I knife cut. Either way they get an implant when I work them.
Studies show steers recover from knife cutting faster than banding of any type. The implant makes up for the testosterone.
 
When I band, I slit open the sack to let the air get to it. I lean towards working calves a bit older. There is about a 20 pound per head advantage leaving them intact longer. That being said it is important to allow compensatory gain to do its magic, my guess would be to castrate roughly two months before selling the calves.
 
StrojanHerefords said:
When I band, I slit open the sack to let the air get to it. I lean towards working calves a bit older. There is about a 20 pound per head advantage leaving them intact longer. That being said it is important to allow compensatory gain to do its magic, my guess would be to castrate roughly two months before selling the calves.
Click to expand...
So why not just use a $1.90 implant to match the difference and its much easier on the calf.
 
kenny thomas said:
So why not just use a $1.90 implant to match the difference and its much easier on the calf.
Click to expand...
RDFF, already answered the question. To add, implants only last so around 100 days and it is more important to have the implant working when the calf is bigger. Additionally, I prefer working calves when they are older so they can better handle vaccines.
 
StrojanHerefords said:
RDFF, already answered the question. To add, implants only last so around 100 days and it is more important to have the implant working when the calf is bigger. Additionally, I prefer working calves when they are older so they can better handle vaccines.
Click to expand...
My situation is different than many I guess. At 90 to 100 days I implant again. And then again when weaning. But by rotating pastures I can have mine in the lots about any time I want.
Also most vaccines say to give at 2 to 3 months with a booster in 14 to 21 days. Do you not give vaccinations then either?
 

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