| Implant Cattle Properly Clyde D. Lane Jr., Professor - Extension Animal Science-Beef, Sheep, Horse - University of Tennessee
Adapted from "Guide To Assuring Beef Quality On The Farm" written by the Kentucky Beef Cattle Association, 1992.
Growth stimulating implants offer the commercial cow-calf producer a fast, easy-to-use method of increasing the weaning weight of calves when used properly. Implants have been proven effective through research, as well as through routine use in the beef industry. Implants are placed under the skin on the back of the ear. They exert a positive effect by increasing growth hormone and insulin, resulting in increased formation of muscle tissue and decreased fat. Growth hormone is naturally produced by the pituitary gland and is an important regulator of growth. Generally male calves should be implanted when they are castrated. DO NOT implant bull calves that you intend to save for breeding. Implanting bulls can retard the development of the reproductive organs, thus causing them to be less fertile. Implants must be administered properly. The potential benefit of the implant cannot be seen if they are not properly administered. In addition, a calf with an improperly placed implant runs the risk of having residues when slaughtered.
Administer Implants Correctly
- Properly restrain the animal.
- Determine which ear you want to implant,position the implant instrument so that the needle can be positioned next to and parallel to the ear, with the slant side of the needle facing outward. (Implant all calves in the same ear to minimize confusion).
- Select the proper implant site on the back of the ear (Figures 1 and 2). Place the implant between the skin and cartilage in the middle third of the ear.
- Clean the needle and implant site with a disinfectant to reduce contamination of the needle wound. (Use a paint tray and sponge to lay the implant gun on).
- Grasp the ear with one hand while the other hand positions the instrument parallel to, and nearly flush with, the ear. Put the point of the needle against the ear with the beveled part facing outward.
- Use the tip of the needle to prick the skin. Then lift slightly so you can completely insert the needle under the skin.
- Depress the plunger of the implant gun and withdraw the needle.
- Feel the ear for the implant under the skin to see that it is inserted properly.
 Figure 1. Site of Insertion for Ralgro7 Implant. Source: Burris, Roy et al. 1990. Growth Stimulating Implants for Beef Cattle, ACS-25, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (All other implants should be place at same location on ear as outlined above.)
Precautions When Implanting - When the ear is grasped and the needle inserted, the animal may throw its head. This can be prevented by using a nose lead, halter, or a headgate equipped with a head and nose bar.
- Avoid piercing or cutting ear veins with the needle.
- Do not allow the needle to gouge or pierce through the cartilage. If you feel resistance as you insert the needle, it is quite probable that the cartilage has been gouged, and pellets may be covered with scar tissue and "walled off," resulting in very poor drug absorption and decreased gain.
- Never sacrifice a careful implantation technique for speed.
Extension Animal Science-Beef, Sheep, Horse
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
P. O. Box 1071
Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-1071
(865) 974-7294 fax: (865) 974-7297
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