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EFFECT OF CALVING SUPERVISION UPON THE CALVING PERFORMANCE OF HEREFORD HEIFERS
Author(s) -
Hodge P. B.,
Wood S. J.,
Newman R. D.,
Shepherd R. K.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1982.tb00600.x
Subject(s) - ice calving , herd , zoology , biology , incidence (geometry) , veterinary medicine , medicine , pregnancy , lactation , mathematics , genetics , geometry
SUMMARY The calving performance of 268 two‐year‐old Hereford heifers was studied in 2 commercial herds and at a research station to compare supervision and non‐supervision during calving. Supervision in the 3 herds involved twice‐daily paddock inspections of calving heifers using a vehicle and the provision of obstetrical aid to those in difficulty. The unsupervised controls were inspected once weekly and were not assisted. The supervised heifers experienced a higher incidence of live‐natural births and fewer dead calves compared with the unsupervised heifers. Dam survival rates were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in all supervised treatments. Calving supervision was justified by higher survival of both heifers and calves as well as humane considerations. It was endorsed as a worthwhile management practice in commercial herds with significant levels of dystocia in calving heifers.