Effects of Dystocia

Any dystocia will have some impact on the calf and dam but that impact typically becomes worse the more difficult the calving.

• Increased calf death losses due to increased trauma, increased disease, or inability to adapt to life outside of the dam.
  
• Increased dam death loss and culling rates due to trauma, decreased production, or decreased reproductive efficiency. Cows that experience dystocia have increased stress and are more prone to injury.
  
• Increased number of days opens (decreased fertility).
  
• Decreased milk yield (especially in the first 30 days in milk).
  
• Decreased milk fat.
  
• Increased likelihood of future calving problems
  
• Economic losses due to:
       - Calf losses
       - Treatment costs
       - Increased disease in the herd
       - Loss in reproductive performance
         (Some studies have found losses to be as high as $380 in extreme calving difficulty) 

Due to year round calving on most dairies, it is important to keep good records to monitor the incidence of dystocia in order to determine if there is a problem.