Regarding the study from Purdue University (December 30 Hoard's Dairyman Intel item "Polled and dehorning costs break even") on the comparative costs of dehorning against the cost of using semen from polled bulls:
While the study does include treatment costs, it apparently neglects to place a value on pain caused by dehorning. It's an intangible, but it's one more factor that should tip the decision toward using semen from polled sires. It should also urge the A.I. industry toward increasing the number of polled sires that are available.
- George Shook, Wisconsin
