Assisting the Beef Cow at Calving Time

Six to ten percent of all calves born in beef cow herds
in the U.S. die at or soon after birth. Approximately half
of those deaths are due to calving difficulty (dystocia).
This multimillion dollar annual loss is second only to
losses from cows failing to conceive. Factors contributing to calving difficulty fall into three main categories: calf effects, cow effects, and fetal position at birth.
It is important to know your capabilities and know when to call for help when assisting the beef cow during calving.