Milk Specialties Blog

The 2017 National FARM Program (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) takes aim at pain management. Painful medical procedures and the need to manage the associated pain and stress to animals get detailed attention in this revision. Dehorning/disbudding, castration, branding, and extra teat removal are all procedures performed on calves and require pain management.

When it comes to dehorning, properly administered lidocaine can have a profound effect on the pain experienced by a calf. Blocking the cornual nerve with lidocaine numbs the horn bud area and controls the pain associated with dehorning. In this episode of Calf Management Tips, Elizabeth demonstrates the proper techniques for blocking the nerve and dehorning a calf using a butane dehorner.