Title: Explain rationale and methods for humane dehorning, castrating, identifying, and docking.
Course: Operating the Farm Business (18301-III) > Section: Practicing Safety in Agricultural Production Enterprises

Explanation should include

- timing
- techniques and tools used to dehorn, castrate, identify (i.e., branding, tattooing, notching), and docking livestock
- defense of humane dehorning, castration, identification and docking
- safety considerations for dehorning, castration, and docking.

Explanation may also include Beef Quality Assurance certification.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What is the purpose of docking?
- Why is it important to be able to identify livestock?
- Why is castration important?
- What issues related to humane treatment are raised when discussing dehorning? Castration? Docking?

Teacher Resources:

- Cattle Care and Handling Guidelines, Beef Quality Assurance
- Dehorning, Castrating, and Docking, AgriLIFE Extension, Texas A&M University
- Manual Resources, Beef Quality Assurance