Twin pregnancies in cattle are associated with substantially higher complication rates including dystocia, freemartinism, retained placenta, and metabolic disease, requiring targeted management to protect cow welfare.
The welfare challenges of twin pregnancy in cattle cascade through the entire periparturient period: the cow faces higher risk of painful and dangerous birth, metabolic disease, uterine infection, and reduced milk production; calves face prematurity, low birth weight, and high mortality risk; and freemartin females face an additional lifetime welfare consideration of reproductive failure. Identification of twin pregnancies early through ultrasound scanning allows targeted nutritional and management interventions that reduce the severity of these harms. When embryo reduction is performed, timing and technique matter for minimising procedural stress. The cumulative welfare burden of unmanaged twin pregnancy is significant, making proactive identification and management a key welfare priority in both dairy and beef herds.