Calving Problems and Early Viability of the Calf : A Seminar in the EEC Programme of Coordination of Research on Beef Production Held at Freising, Federal Republic of Germany, May 4–6, 1977

This publication contains the proceedings of a seminar held in Germany (Fed. Rep.) on May 4 -6, 1977, under the auspices of the Commission of the European Communities, as part of the EEC programme of co­ ordination of research on beef production. The programme was drawn up by a combined scientific working group on Genetics and Selection and on Nutrition and Management on behalf of the Beef Production Committee. The working group consisted of Professor Dr. Neimann­ S~rensen (Denmark, Chairman), Dr. Brolund Larsen (Denmark), Mr. Boccard (France), Dr. H. de Boer (Netherlands), Priv.-Doz. Dr. B. Hoffmann (Germany, Fed. Rep.), Professor Dr. H.J. Langholz (Germany, Fed. Rep.), Dr. J.W.B. King (UK), Mr. R. Jarrige (France), Mr. B. Vissac (France), Professor Dr. A. Romita (Italy), Professor Dr. E.P. Cunningham (Ireland), Mr. P. L'Hermite (CEC) and Dr. J.C. Tayler (Scientific Adviser to CEC). The subject chosen for this seminar was drawn from the list of priorities in research objectives drawn up in 1973 by members of a committee (now the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research, (~PRA). One of the functions of this series of seminars was to summarise and update the information available on the selected subjects and to discuss future needs for research, so as to assist the Commission in evaluating the probable impact of research on agri­ cultural production within the Community. Front Matter....Pages I-X Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Survey of the Incidence of Calving Problems, Calf Mortality, and their Economic Importance: Dairy and Dual-Purpose Cattle....Pages 3-29 Present Situation of Calving Problems in the EEC: Incidence of Calving Difficulties and Early Calf Mortality in Beef Herds....Pages 30-85 Back Matter....Pages 86-87 Front Matter....Pages 89-89 Selection for Double-Muscling and Calving Problems....Pages 91-104 Reproductive Performance in Crossbreeding: Results from a Current Experiment in the Federal Republic of Germany....Pages 105-119 Influence of Sire Breed on Calving Performance, Perinatal Mortality and Gestation Length....Pages 120-132 Breeding Considerations for Minimising Difficult Calving....Pages 133-140 Back Matter....Pages 141-146 Front Matter....Pages 147-147 A Breeding Strategy for Reducing Perinatal Calf Mortality in Heifer Calvings....Pages 149-158 Selection for Calving Ability in French Beef Breeds....Pages 159-176 Relationship between Performance Test Data and Calving Performance of Test Bulls....Pages 177-188 Breeding for Calving Performance....Pages 189-205 Sire Evaluation for Dystocia in Dutch Cattle Breeds....Pages 206-219 Investigations on the Relationships of Body Measurements and Weight of Heifer and Calf to Calving Difficulties in German Simmental (Fleckvieh) Cattle. Preliminary Results of the EEC Project No. 320 of the Beef Production Programme....Pages 220-229 Comparison of the Main European Cattle Breeds Used in Industrial Crossing on French Friesian Dairy Cows: Preliminary Results on Calving Difficulties....Pages 230-244 Back Matter....Pages 245-259 Front Matter....Pages 261-261 Hormonal Mechanisms Involved in Control of Parturition in the Cow....Pages 263-281 The Influence of the Sire on the Oestrogen Production of the Bovine Foetus-Placental Unit....Pages 282-292 Neural Control of the Reproductive Tract in the Cow as It Relates to Parturition....Pages 293-296 Preliminary Observations on Myometrial Electrical Activity before, During and after Parturition in the Cow....Pages 297-311 Back Matter....Pages 312-321 Front Matter....Pages 323-323 Betamethasone Induced Calving: A Comparison between Induced and Non-Induced Dairy Cows....Pages 325-337 Some Results with Induced Parturition in Cows and Heifers....Pages 338-340 Induction of Parturition in the Bovine....Pages 341-352 Back Matter....Pages 366-372 Front Matter....Pages 323-323 Use of Prostaglandins for Induction of Parturition in the Cow....Pages 353-365 Back Matter....Pages 366-372 Front Matter....Pages 373-373 Effect of Rearing Intensity and Age at Calving on Calving Performance....Pages 375-391 Pre-Calving Management and Feeding of the Beef Cow in Relation to Calving Problems and Viability of the Calf....Pages 392-407 Problems Associated with the Calving and Neonatal Period in Beef Cattle....Pages 408-422 Back Matter....Pages 423-426 Front Matter....Pages 427-427 Effect of Plane of Nutrition During Late Pregnancy on the Incidence of Calving Problems in Beef Cows and Heifers....Pages 429-443 The Influence of Pre-Partal Feeding on Energy Metabolism in Early Lactation....Pages 444-455 The Influence of Pre-Calving Feeding and Management of the Cow on Ease of Calving and Calf Viability....Pages 456-467 Clinical Aspects of the Nutritional Status of the Dam and Parturition....Pages 468-477 Back Matter....Pages 478-484 Front Matter....Pages 485-485 Conclusions from the EEC Seminar on Perinatal Ill-Health in Calves....Pages 487-493 Immune Mechanisms in the Newborn Calf....Pages 494-506 The Effect of Different Methods of Feeding Colostrum on Calf Blood Serum Immunoglobulin Levels....Pages 507-517 Back Matter....Pages 518-521 Front Matter....Pages 523-523 Management of the Newborn Calf: An Attempt at an Economic Analysis....Pages 525-538 Treatment of the Newborn Calf....Pages 539-550 Acidosis and Clinical State in Depressed Calves....Pages 551-563 Back Matter....Pages 564-565 Front Matter....Pages 567-567 General Discussion with Panel of Session Chairmen....Pages 569-588 Back Matter....Pages 589-593