Castration of male livestock is widely practised for management reasons, but the procedure causes significant pain and welfare harm when performed without adequate analgesia.
Livestock castration without pain management causes avoidable and significant suffering. The procedures — whether surgical, by rubber ring, or by Burdizzo clamp — produce acute pain responses followed by hours to days of post-operative pain and inflammation. The evidence base for pain management is clear: local anaesthesia combined with NSAIDs substantially reduces the pain burden. Adoption remains inconsistent because pain management adds cost and complexity, and in many jurisdictions is not legally required. Mandatory pain relief requirements, farmer training, and market incentives through welfare certification are the most effective pathways to improvement.