Abstract
Dystocia and perinatal mortality are major animal health, welfare and economic issues in beef suckler cow production. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for dystocia and perinatal mortality and to analyze the relationships of both traits to external pelvic parameters in extensively kept beef suckler cows. Calving ease and calf survival were recorded for 785 births on five Angus cattle farms in Germany. The prevalence of dystocia and perinatal mortality was 3.4% and 4.3%, respectively. A hierarchical model was used to predict dystocia and perinatal mortality. First-parity dams had a higher probability of dystocia (p < 0.0001) than later-parity ones. Increasing birth weight was associated with an increasing risk for dystocia (p < 0.05). The probability of perinatal mortality (p < 0.0001) was higher in assisted births than in unassisted births. Calves from first-parity dams had a higher risk (p < 0.01) of being stillborn than calves from dams in later parities. An increase in the length of the pelvis was associated with an increase in odds for perinatal mortality (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the study indicates that dystocia and perinatal mortality are mainly problems in first-parity suckler cows. Concerning the predictive value of external pelvic parameters, further research is necessary.
Highlights
The share of suckler cows in the total cow population is 13.7% in Germany [1].due to increasing consumer demands for economic sustainability, animal welfare and product quality, suckler cows are gaining importance in livestock farming [2]
One decisive factor for the efficiency of suckler cow cattle production, especially under extensive conditions on pasture, is complication-free calving since dystocia results in increased perinatal mortality [3,4,5] and decreased subsequent reproduction [6,7,8], which causes important economic losses in the suckler cow industry
Twin births are associated with more frequent calving difficulties and twin calves have a higher risk of stillbirth [9,10]
Summary
Due to increasing consumer demands for economic sustainability, animal welfare and product quality, suckler cows are gaining importance in livestock farming [2]. One decisive factor for the efficiency of suckler cow cattle production, especially under extensive conditions on pasture, is complication-free calving since dystocia results in increased perinatal mortality [3,4,5] and decreased subsequent reproduction [6,7,8], which causes important economic losses in the suckler cow industry. Twin births are associated with more frequent calving difficulties and twin calves have a higher risk of stillbirth [9,10]. The probability of calves being stillborn is higher in assisted than in unassisted births [13,14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
