Calving and When To Help A Cow

     Learning when to help a cow during calving may be one of the most profitable practices you can acquire.

     Research has shown that up to 10 percent of all calves born in beef cattle herds in the United States are deceased at or soon after birth. With half of those deaths being due to calving difficulty, also referred to as dystocia. In the beef cattle industry this causes millions of dollar losses annually and is second only to losses from failing to conceive.

     Calving difficulty can be expected to be more pronounced when mating a larger continental type of bull to a British breed cow.  You should also be aware of possible increased calving problems in a purebred breed if you are inclined to mate genetically large bulls to purebred cows that are average in size.

     You should always consult with your veterinarian for further information or assistance when in doubt.