Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Calving Ease and Neonatal Welfare

How selective breeding for calving ease improves both cow and calf welfare at birth.

Key Facts

Dystocia (difficult calving) affects around 5-10% of beef calvings and is a major welfare concern
Prolonged calving causes exhaustion, tissue damage, and oxygen deprivation in calves
Genetic selection for appropriate birth weight and pelvic dimensions reduces dystocia rates
Stockperson training in calving assistance minimises harm when intervention is needed

Welfare Considerations

Calving difficulty causes significant pain and distress for both cow and calf, and increases neonatal mortality. Genetic selection and skilled stockpersonship are the two most effective levers for improving welfare at this critical life stage.

What You Can Do

Support beef breed societies promoting calving ease EPDs in selection indexes
Advocate for stockperson training in calving assistance as a welfare standard
Choose beef from producers who publish calving difficulty rates as a welfare metric