Risk factor analysis for beef calves requiring assisted vaginal delivery in Great Britain.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Science
• Animal Husbandry
• Reproductive Biology

Background:

• Dystocia poses significant risks to both beef cows and their calves.
• Identifying risk factors for dystocia is crucial for improving calving outcomes in beef herds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine key risk factors associated with dystocia in spring-born beef calves delivered vaginally in Great Britain.
• To provide data-driven insights for reducing calving difficulties in beef production systems.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 1131 calves and 84 farms in Great Britain collected data on calving assistance.
• Factors analyzed included calf sex, birthweight, breed, twinning, dam parity, and body condition score (BCS).
• Statistical models were used to assess the relationship between these variables and the occurrence of calving assistance.

Main Results:

• Twins (OR=5.45), Charolais calves (OR=3.24), calves from primiparous dams (OR=5.75), and male calves (OR=1.75) showed significantly increased risk of dystocia.
• Calves from dams with poor body condition (BCS < 2.5/5) also had a higher likelihood of dystocia (OR=1.92).

Conclusions:

• Calf breed, dam body condition, and management of first-time mothers are key modifiable factors to reduce dystocia risk.
• Poor dam body condition is identified as a novel and significant risk factor for dystocia in beef cows, warranting further research.