Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Calving Ease Management

Dystocia (difficult calving) causes severe welfare harm to both cows and calves. Prevention through genetic selection, body condition management, and skilled assistance saves lives and reduces suffering.

Key Facts

Dystocia affects 3-6% of dairy calvings and higher rates in some beef breeds
It causes severe pain and can be fatal for both cow and calf without intervention
Genetic EPDs for calving ease allow selection of bulls with lower dystocia risk
Body condition scoring and avoiding over-conditioning reduce risk in dairy cows
Skilled calving assistance and knowing when to call a vet prevents the worst outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Dystocia causes some of the most severe acute welfare harm in cattle production. Prevention through genetic selection and management, combined with skilled assistance when needed, significantly reduces this suffering.

What You Can Do

Support farms with active calving ease management programmes
Advocate for dystocia monitoring to be included in cattle welfare standards
Learn about calving ease genetics and body condition management
Choose dairy and beef from farms with veterinary oversight of calving management