During our telephone conversation, Rachel Dodd, retired former Manager for No-Bull Enterprises, revealed an exciting factoid. Some folks in the Texas Longhorn business use the Callicrate Bander for de-horning. The bander is widely used for that purpose in other cattle breeds, and a similar piece of equipment, the Velvet Antler Bander, is used to de-antler elk and deer species. But de-horning Longhorns?

The original purpose and most widely held use of the bander is bloodless, humane castration. Since its introduction in 1991, it has proven to be a precious tool in profitable animal husbandry. The device was invented by Mike Callicrate in St. Francis, Kansas, and is still manufactured there by Ross Manufacturing. Callicrate used the delayed castration procedure in his ranching and cattle feeding operation before offering it to the public.

Said to be foolproof and easy to use, the Callicrate Bander reduces stress on the handlers and the animals. The device uses a tension indicator for proper pressure to stop blood flow to the scrotum and testes, producing a more localized immune response than surgical castration. Research has shown that surgically castrated calves may require seven to ten days of recovery time before they start gaining weight again. With the banding procedure adequately done, there is no loss of appetite or decline in the rate of gain.

Leaving bull calves intact until they weigh 500 pounds or more can maximize the benefits of natural testosterone on rate of gain, feed efficiency, and muscle development. Producers who utilize this management protocol say that delayed castration can add significantly to the value of calves, not only in the additional pounds but also due in part to consumer interest in hormone-free beef. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that the calves stay healthier, athletic, and likely to remain free from fall pneumonia.

Rachel, handling the bander’s sales, had her office at the Callicrate ranch.  “I am out here seven miles southwest of St. Francis, Kansas. We have a feeding operation here and a cow-calf operation — we are raising our calves and shipping them, when finished, to Ranch Foods Direct in Colorado Springs, which is another one of Mike’s businesses that sells meat to the wholesale and retail market.”

“In the next few months,” she continued, “we will be coming out with a new bander called the Callicrate ‘WEE’ Bander. This is for newborn baby calves, goats, and lambs. It will be more humane and less stressful than other methods, as proper tension is applied and surgical complications are avoided. It will be available in the fall.”

For more information, contact Tabetha Ketzner, general manager of No-Bull Enterprises, at 1-800-858-5974 or 785-332-3344 or tabetha@nobull.net.