Many communal farmers prize horned cattle, as horns play a part in certain cultural and ritual slaughter practices. However, cattle with sharp horns can cause severe, price-reducing damage to other cattle. This happens particularly when cattle are loaded onto trucks or placed in handling facilities to receive medical and other treatment.
Horns also pose a risk of injury in a crowded feedlot, where cattle are in close proximity to one another. Feedlots are certainly not keen to