DEHORNING CATTLE.

Southland Times, Issue 22146, 14 October 1933, Page 7

DEHORNING CATTLE.

To the Editor. Sir, —Having had a life’s experience amongst cattle, both dairy herds and station cattle, may I make a few remarks anent the same. No doubt, as “Devon Born” points out, to dehorn grown wild station cattle that are only yarded occasionally for branding and weaning, is in no way necessary and is a cruel and barbarous practice to say the least of it, no matter what anyone says to the contrary. But when we come to milking herds something should be done where from 20 to 50 cross-grained old and young dames are packed like sardines, twice and sometimes three times a day in the yard to the discomfort and even danger of the less combative. Something should be done but not necessarily dehorning in the usual cruel and unsightly way and if the Government want to interfere, why not bring in a law that all we may term domestic cows and calves should be treated with caustic soda when two or three days old, only three or four applications at the right time, as soon as the budding horn is noticeable, clean the hair from around the bud, wash the spot and when dry apply the caustic soda, rubbing it gently for a minute or so. Two or three applications as I said before does the trick. Veterinary surgeons say there is absolutely little or no pain and the calf goes on thriving just as though nothing had happened and anyone following this system out carefully will have a nice mob of polled cattle that have suffered little or no pain. It is a job any intelligent girl or boy could perform. I say, leave all station mobs alone, as they are seldom yarded. If a measure is to be brought in the suggestion I make meets the position in the least cumbersome way with the most effective and painless results. —I am, etc., "OLD CATTLE MAN.”