If these are spring calves in Wisconsin I think around June 1 when calves are about two months old is the best time to cut them. My vet and I work do the spring working of the herd in the later part of May and cut the bull calves then.

Many folks band them at birth. I have had good luck leaving them intact for 2-3 months. This way they heal quickly on fresh clean green grass with mama keeping them clean. I don't know if the 2 or 3 months as a bull makes a significant difference in growth or not. Healing quickly is my main reason for cutting them around June 1.

I had one last year I left whole until fall workup and I sure don't want to do that again if I don't have to. Seems like it was more stressful on both the cutter and the cuttee and took longer to heal and probably set back the weight gain more than cutting in late spring. jmho.

Jim at Dawn