DYSTOCIA-RELATED RISK-FACTORS

Dystocia is one of the leading causes of calf mortality between birth and weaning in beef cattle. An understanding of the effects of parturi tion and dystocia on perinatal calf viability is paramount for the dev elopment of breeding and calving programs that will minimize calf loss es. This article discusses the factors affecting birth weight and repl acement heifer development and redefines dystocia as any birth that re duces calf viability, causes maternal injury, or reduces maternal repr oduction.