DEHORNING OF COWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21154, 29 September 1938, Page 3

DEHORNING OF COWS

MAKES THEM MORE PLACID IN NATURE PROVIDES A STIMULUS TO PRODUCTION Since most of the lower animals appear to have some means of defending themselves, some people argue that the dehorning of cows is a cruel practice. However, the conditions existing when cattle roamed in a wild state, and horns were necessary for defence or attack, are entirely different from those under which domestic cattle are kept. Indeed there can be no reasonable comparison between the herd of wild cattle roaming where it will, and the highly developed modern dairy herd.

When cows are in the milking yard, anc’ when they are grazing in small enclosures, the weaker animals are very liable to attack by the stronger. Sometimes in an attempt to defend Itself in an open encounter, a cow may lose the outside of a horn, leaving exposed a tender core that has to be nursed for several weeks. It is not unusual when examining dairy herds to see the ravages of some bad-tempered "boss” cow. Torn flanks, ripped and ruined udders are not uncommon, and it is the timid, highly strung, high-produc-ing animals that are the chief victims. Many are opposed to dehorning, and this opinion is common among the pedigree breeders, because of the loss of appearance to the animal, but if every'animal were dehorned this argument must fall to the ground. The removal of the horns, too, t»nds to make the cows more placid in nature and this it is held provides a stimulus to production.