Research Summary - 3
Evaluating the use of Bovine Rate of Consumption Index (BROCI), intake metrics, and bolus outcomes as objective measures of surgical castration pain
| Date/Time: |
8/29/2026
08:45
|
| Author: |
Jordana A Zimmermann |
| Clinic: |
Kansas State University |
| City, State, ZIP: |
Manhattan, KS 66502 |
J.A.R. Zimmermann, M.V., MS.
1
;
E.M. Bortoluzzi, M.V., PhD
1
;
J. Irvine, B.S.
2
;
B. Irvine, B.S.
2
;
J.J. Schumacher, B.S.
1
;
L.F.B.B. Feitoza, DVM, PAS, PhD
3
;
B.J. White, DVM., MS.
4
;
J.F. Coetzee, BVSc, PhD
1
;
1Department of Anatomy and Physiology; College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66502
2Irvine Ranch, Manhattan, KS, 66502
3Innovative Livestock Services, Manhattan, KS, 66502
4Beef Cattle Institute; College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66502
Introduction:
Pain assessment outcomes in cattle are mostly subjective. Bovine Rate of Consumption Index (BROCI) is the velocity at which an animal eats and may provide an objective indicator of pain. This study evaluated BROCI, intake metrics and ruminal-bolus outcomes as objective indicators of surgical castration pain.
Materials and methods:
Commercial bull-calves (n=47, 8–10 months; 281–419 kg) were housed in a pen with eight proprietary scale systems that measured BROCI, feed intake, and total time feeding. Calves were randomly assigned to treatment groups: castration without analgesia (CAST), castration with meloxicam (MEL-CAST), castration with ketoprofen (KETO-CAST), sham-castration without analgesia (SHAM), or sham-castration with meloxicam (MEL-SHAM). A subset of calves (n=25) were administered ruminal boluses that collected activity, ruminal temperature, and water intake. Measures were taken at baseline (-10d to -1d), castration (0d), and 42d post-procedure. Outcomes were analyzed using linear mixed models.
Results:
BROCI showed no significant treatment×time interaction, despite a significant timepoint effect (P≤0.001). Feed intake and total-time feeding were lower in CAST on 0d relative to other groups (P<0.01). Water intake was lower in CAST and MEL-CAST than MEL-SHAM on 0d. Bolus activity was lower on SHAM than MEL-CAST on 5d and 6d. Ruminal temperature differed among treatment groups, but all remained within normal physiological range.
Significance:
This study used objective measures to assess pain and analgesic effects following surgical castration. While BROCI did not differ among treatments, feeding behavior and ruminal-bolus outcomes varied by treatment and time, supporting utility of objective outcomes as castration pain and analgesic effects indicators.
