Calving assistance is one of the highest welfare-risk events on a cattle farm, requiring skilled intervention and pain management to protect both cow and calf.
Cows experiencing dystocia suffer prolonged pain from uterine contractions, tissue trauma, and physical exhaustion. Delayed assistance leads to fetal death and uterine rupture. Calves from difficult births experience hypoxia during prolonged delivery, affecting neonatal viability and welfare. Welfare-focused calving management includes correct sire selection to reduce fetal oversize, regular pre-calving monitoring especially of heifers, skilled assistance with appropriate equipment, and pain management after difficult deliveries. All farm staff should receive annual refresher training in calving assistance.