Pelvic Measurements: Applications in Beef Cattle Practice Today

Dystocia (difficult calving) is a major cause of loss for beef cattle producers. It results in an increased incidence of calf mortality at or near birth, increased cow mortality, and higher veterinary and labor costs. In one study, calf loss within 24 hours of birth was 4 % when heifers gave birth unassisted, 16 % when calving difficulty ensued.1Of the calves that died at or near calving, 57 % of these were attributed to dystocia.2Another study revealed that heifers calving unassisted weaned 70 % of their calves; heifers needing assistance calving weaned 59%.2 Dystocia also results in delayed return to estrus and decreased conception rate in heifers and cows subsequent to their calving difficulty.1,2,3,4,5 Pregnancy rate