****In the photo above the calves have been sedated and have gone to sleep

Disbudding is done to prevent horns from growing. It is more commonly carried out on Dairy calves but some Beef calves are done as well. 

The veterinary approach is aimed at reducing the stress and pain experienced by the calves having the procedure done. 

The procedure is done under deep sedation with local anesthetic deposited at the horn bud to anaesthetise the cornual nerve. The calves are also given NSAID under the skin for further pain relief. The horn buds are cauterised with a hot iron and then sprayed with an antiseptic spray. While the calves are sedated their eyes, navels and udders are checked and some male calves are castrated. 

The calves generally wake up in an hour or so after the procedure and can go back out in the paddock.

***This procedure may be phased out as polled (non-horned) genetics is being widely used in both dairy and beef cattle.