To optimise the design of a castration tool to reduce the pain associated with castration of ruminants
| Project start date: | 01 March 2015 |
| Project end date: | 29 April 2015 |
| Publication date: | 29 April 2015 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Sheep, Goat, Lamb, Grassfed cattle, Grainfed cattle |
Summary
In 2013-14, a Pulse NeedleFree System (NFS) was modified to make a prototype suitable for the injection of 5 ml of a local anaesthetic (lignocaine) into the spermatic cord and skin of the scrotal neck of bull calves (MLA Project B.AWW.0243). A pilot scale welfare assessment was conducted that demonstrated that the modified Pulse NFS injector delivered effective local anaesthesia to Bos taurus calves (n=36) undergoing band castration less than 30 seconds after injection of the local anaesthetic. The efficacy of local anaesthesia in Bos indicus calves (n = 9) could not be determined because of atypical behavioural and physiological responses to castration. This project provided proof of concept for delivery of local anaesthetic via the modified Pulse NFS for castration of Bos taurus calves.
To assist in the commercialisation of this technology, further refinement of the prototype system was deemed necessary.
In the current project, concept drawings and associated budgets were developed for three prototype systems:
- A single spermatic cord injector with improved ergonomic features
- A dual spermatic cord injector
- A dual spermatic cord injector incorporating the tensioning and fixing of a castration band.
