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Quantifying the Forces Applied During Manually and Mechanically Assisted Calvings in Beef Cattle.
Jennifer M Pearson1, Charmaine Thomsen2, Ann Kusler1
1Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
|August 28, 2020
Summary
Assisted calving forces were measured using the Calving Assistance Force Logger (CAF-Log) system. Mechanical calf extraction applied significantly greater forces and duration than manual pulling, highlighting potential welfare concerns.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Husbandry
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Dystocia is a major cause of calf mortality.
- Limited data exists on forces and duration during assisted calving.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop a method to measure forces during calving assistance.
- Quantify forces applied to beef calves during manual vs. mechanical delivery.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a novel Calving Assistance Force Logger (CAF-Log) system with modified obstetric chains.
- Recorded duration, peak force, cumulative force, and jerk force during 25 assisted calvings.
- Compared manual (1-2 people pulling) and mechanical (calf extractor) delivery methods.
Main Results:
- Mechanical deliveries were significantly longer (312.6s vs 112.6s) and involved greater peak forces (126.8kg/leg vs 56.9kg/leg) and cumulative forces (380.6kg min vs 178.3kg min) than manual deliveries.
- Maximum jerk force was also higher in mechanical deliveries (77.2kg/s vs 36.6kg/s).
- Ranch and delivery method interacted for peak and cumulative forces.
Conclusions:
- The CAF-Log system effectively quantifies forces during assisted calving.
- Mechanically assisted deliveries apply significantly higher forces to calves than manual methods.
- Findings suggest potential welfare implications of mechanical calving assistance.
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