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G87-895 Pelvic Measurements For Reducing Calving Difficulty, Gene H. Deutscher

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Pelvic measurements in heifers and bulls can be an important tool to help reduce the incidence and severity of calving difficulty. Calving difficulty results in a major economic loss to beef producers. This loss is estimated at $750 million annually nationwide. Calving difficulty increases calf death loss, cow mortality, labor and veterinary costs; it delays the return of cows to estrus and reduces conception rates. It also lowers calf weaning weight and market value, which results from breeding young heifers and cows to easy calving bulls to reduce calving difficulty. Studies show calf losses of 4 percent within 24 hours …