Dystocia (difficult birth) is a major welfare challenge in beef and dairy cattle, causing pain, injury and death in both calves and cows when not managed promptly and competently.
Dystocia causes intense suffering - prolonged labour pain in the cow, hypoxia and trauma in the calf. Delayed assistance allows suffering to continue and increases the risk of permanent injury or death. Farmer competence in recognising dystocia, assisting appropriately and calling veterinary help promptly determines welfare outcomes. Breed selection for calving ease prevents many cases from occurring.