Page 4 - MWC 10-26-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · October 26, 2023 · P4
Advertiser SPOTLIGHT

Callicrate Banders: Rancher invented, industry tested

Banding, if properly done, can be a humane, bloodless, to make the job easier and
and drug-free method of removing soft tissue and other body the outcome better have con-
parts, such as castration, horns, prolapses, tumors, velvet tinued, including a specially
antlers, tails, etc. formulated premade loop, a
However, without proper tension, banding can be high- better method of securing
ly stressful and may lead to serious complications if partial the band capable of holding
blood flow remains. Sufficient tension is critical in achieving proper tension, and the most
complete ligation and suppression of pain. important
“The bottom line is that improve - Tension indicator on the SMART Bander
Ligation results from the application of ment for a
ligature or cutting off circulation to a spe- high-tension banding consistent and successful outcome: a ten-
cific body part. Like a tourniquet, except is faster, easier, and sion indicator. The tension indicator pro-
tighter, it remains in place until the body vides the operator with a visual indication
part falls off. In the case of castration, liga- less traumatic for the the proper tension has been reached, which
tion must completely shut off the supply of animal than surgical is sufficiently tight, but not stretched be-
blood and bodily fluids to the scrotum and castration.” yond the memory and elasticity of the rub-
testicles. Arterial blood flow, the supply of ber.
blood going to the testicles, is greater than Matt Sween, UC Davis, Since 1991, millions of bulls, lambs,
venal pressure, the blood flowing back from Animal Science Department goats, deer, and elk, have been castrated
the extremity to the body. If the ligature with a Callicrate Bander, in addition to
band lacks proper tension, the high-pres- being treated for antler removal, dehorn-
sure arterial blood will continue to supply the scrotum with ing, prolapse repair and other applications requiring com-
more fluids than the low-pressure veins are able to return, plete ligation. An endangered 250-pound male Alligator
causing swelling and pain, stressed animals, and unhappy Snapping Turtle was even able to return to normal breeding
livestock owners. activity after the Bander was used to remove a debilitating
In 1991, rancher and feeder Mike Callicrate experienced neck tumor.
the complications of insuf- Other alternatives, from
ficient tension with a load elastrator rings — which de-
of 600 to 700-pound cutting pending on the size of animal
bulls that had been band-cas- may have near zero tension
trated in Oklahoma using — to the failed method tried
one of the banding methods back in 1991, to the newer
available on the market at wire-tie inspired devices —
the time. The result was trau- which by design cannot work
matic and costly. Two veteri- — all fail to provide an effec-
narians worked for days sur- tive and humane option to
gically removing the swollen surgery.
scrotums and repairing the High-tension Callicrate
damage. Mike swore – never Banders are easy to use, pro-
again! vide consistent results, and
The veterinarians agreed: "Easy to use, remain the leading choice for
banding was not the problem; works every superior animal welfare.
it was lack of proper tension. time."
So, Mike began designing
a piece of equipment that Lynn Locatelli, DVM
would achieve the high ten-
sion required for a safe and
effective outcome. The Calli-
crate Bander was on the mar-
ket later the same year. High-tension Callicrate Banders
Since then, improvements are easy to use, provide

consistent results, and remain
the leading choice for superior
animal welfare. "Bruiser", an endangered alligator
snapping turtle, treated with a prolapse
loop.
785-332-3344

CallicrateBanders.com your product in one of our
Ask us about featuring
Mike Callicrate with the high-tension upcoming 2024 issues.
WEE Bander for smaller livestock.