Calving difficulty, sometimes called dystocia, affects between 13 to 15 % of Holstein calves.
48-hour survival rates drop drastically for calves when deliveries require 2 or more persons, mechanical or surgical intervention compared to unassisted births.
120-day survival rates for calves when deliveries require 2 or more persons, mechanical or surgical intervention are 70 % less than unassisted births.
Dystocia is defined as delayed or difficult parturition. General causes are fetal-maternal size mis-match, fetal malpresentation and maternal-related causes. Meyers et al reported that 50% of still-births were a direct result of dystocia.