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Factors Influencing Peri- and Early Postnatal Calf Mortality¹

U. S. Department of Agriculture, Clay Center, Nebraska 68933

Abstract

Effect of dystocia, breeding group, cow age and calf sex on peri- and early postnatal (within 24 hr. after birth) mortality was studied. Data obtained from 1967 to 1972 included 5,064 parturitions from 18 breeding groups. Approximately 35% of the parturitions were from 2-year-old cows, 24% from 3-year-olds and 41% from cows 4 years and older. Type of parturition was divided into four classifications: no dystocia, calfpuller, surgical removal (C-section) and posterior presentation. Overall mortality was 8.6% (436 of 5,064).

Calf losses at or near the time of birth were four times greater (P < .01) in calves experiencing dystocia (20.4%) than in those not experiencing dystocia (5.0%). Calf losses were not significantly different among the three types of dystocia parturitions. Calf sex, cow age and breeding group significantly (P < .01) influenced the proportion of dystocia parturitions.

In dystocia parturitions, calf losses were higher (P < .05) in males (22.4%) than in females (16.3%), but there was no significant difference in mortality between sexes for calves not requiring assistance at birth.

Calf losses were higher (P < .01) in 2-year-old cows with no dystocia than in 3-year-olds and those 4 years of age, but cow age had no significant influence on calf mortality in parturitions involving dystocia.

Mortality ranged from 5.5% for Jersey x Angus to 14.5% for Charolais x Angus. Breeding group affected (P < .01) calf mortality in parturitions involving dystocia, but did not significantly influence mortality in unassisted parturitions.

When calving assistance was required, calf mortality was 11.6% higher (P < .01) in straightbred Hereford and Angus calves than the average for Hereford x Angus and Angus x Hereford calves. Death losses in all types of parturitions were 3.8% higher (P < .01) in the straightbred than in the reciprocal crossbred calves of the Hereford and Angus breeds.

¹ The cooperation of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, is acknowledged.

² U. S. Meat Animal Research Center, A.R.S., U.S.D.A.

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