Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station Lafayette, Indiana
Mimeo AS-307 September, 1961
STILBESTROL IMPLANTS FOR SUCKLING BEEF CALVES ON PASTURE
A Three Year Summary
Southern Indiana Forage Farm
R. C. Peterson, W. M. Beeson, M. E. Heath, G. O. Mott and T. W. Perry Animal Science and Agronomy Departments
Summary
During each of the three years this experiment was conducted, implanting steer and heifer calves with diethyl stilbestrol tended to increase the gaining ability of suckling calves that were not creep fed. The 1959 data indicate a significant gain in favor of the implanted calves over the controls. In 1960 and 1961 the differences were not significant.
Each year the calves treated with stilbestrol displayed elevated tailheads and advanced teat and udder development. Two implanted heifers had a slight vaginal prolapse in 1959.
The data indicate that additional growth response can be obtained in suckling calves by implanting them with diethyl stilbestrol, however, at this time it does not appear that this additional gain is adequate to justify recommending suckling calf implantation as a general practice.
Stilbestrol for Suckling Calves
Diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic female-like hormone, has increased daily gain and improved feed efficiency rather consistently when administered to fattening cattle on high energy rations. Recently there has been increased interest in the use of stilbestrol implants for suckling calves in range beef production. The Oklahoma station has reported generally favorable increased daily gains in
suckling calves implanted with diethylstilbestrol.
Objectives of Experiment
The following objectives were designated as worthy of study for- a three year period with three different crops of suckling Hereford calves:
1.	To compare the gaining ability of suckling steer and heifer calves implanted with stilbestrol, with steers and heifers that were not implanted.
2.	To observe the side effects produced by stilbestrol administration. These side effects include elevated tail heads, teat and udder development, vaginal prolapse and any other physiological effects.
Experimental Procedure
1959--May 13 to October 7 (147 days)
Twenty-four Hereford steer and 24 Hereford heifer calves averaging 96 days of age were allotted to four groups--12 control steers, 12 implanted steers, 12 control heifers and 12 implanted heifers.
On May 13 the implanted calves received one 12 milligram stilbestrol pellet at the base of the ear. The implanted calves were given another 12 milligram pellet 70 days later. The four groups of calves were grazed together with their dams throughout the experiment. The calves were not creep fed.
1960 April 27 to October 6 (162 days)
Twenty-six Hereford steer and 26 Hereford heifer calves were allotted to four experimental treatments--13 control steers,