Maternal Matters: assisting difficult calvings

The birth of a calf requires a significant investment of time, effort and money. It is the only annual output from the cow, so it is important to minimise calving difficulties and know how to assist when necessary.

Minimising calving difficulties

Planning for all possible outcomes is the best way to prepare for calving. The aim is to have a tight calving period, with most calves born unassisted. If a calf dies, the entire annual productivity of the cow is lost.

Find out more about the calving process

How and when to assist?

It is important to know if and when intervention is needed, as interfering too soon can cause unnecessary damage. In a recent study by AHDB, around 9% of the adult cows examined died due to infections caused by damage around calving. A further 5% of deaths being due to complications after caesareans.

Ninety per cent of calves that that died after calving were alive at the onset. Therefore, understanding how to assist cows effectively, and resuscitate the newborn calf, are essential.

Learn more about assisting cows to calve

Check out some of our webinars on assisting with calving:

Sectors:

Beef & Lamb

Tags:

COWS calving calving ease calves health and welfare heifers