Pelvic Area Measurements in Replacement Heifers

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Dystocia:

Dystocia (calving difficulty) can be a major problem for beef cattle producers in Arkansas, especially with heifers that deliver their first calf as two year ­old. Dystocia rates as high as 34 percent have been reported in first calf heifers. The primary cause of dystocia is a disproportionately large calf size or birth weight compared to the pelvic area (birth canal) of the cow or heifer.

Since birth weight is moderately heritable, the selection of bulls with low birth weights and with smoothness, balance and straightness of lines is the most dependable method for reducing dystocia in heifers. Because breeds vary with regard to average birth weight, consider the breed of bull to be used on replacement heifers. There is also a tremendous amount of variation in birth weight among bulls within a breed. As a result, some bulls within most breeds have been identified as “calving­ease” bulls, or are bulls with low expected progeny differences (EPDs) for birth weight.

Another management practice that may assist producers in reducing the incidence of dystocia in first­calf heifers is the use of internal pelvic area measurements. This practice has received considerable attention, but its use is still not widespread among beef cattle producers.

How to Measure Pelvic Area:

A sliding caliper device referred to as a Rice pelvimeter1 is used to measure the pelvic area of heifers. The Rice pelvimeter was specifically designed for taking this measurement, which is determined rectally and results read externally in centimeters (cm).

To measure internal pelvic area, the technician must first clear the rectum of feces. The pelvimeter is then introduced into the rectum inside the cupped, gloved hand of the technician, and pushed into the pelvic inlet with the other hand, taking care not to force the device with undue pressure. The height (vertical measurement) is determined by measuring the linear distance from the approximate midpoint of the top surface of the symphysis pubis to the bottom surface of the midsacrum. Pelvic width (horizontal measurement) is measured as the linear distance between the shafts of the ilia at right angles to where the height was measured (Figure 1).

Pelvic Area Measurements in Replacement Heifers

The unit of measure for pelvic area is cm2 and is calculated by multiplying the height of the pelvic region by the width of the region. The best time to measure pelvic areas in heifers is prior to their first breeding season when heifers are 12 to 14 months of age. Based on research, ratios have been developed that give an estimate as to what size calf a heifer could deliver at two years of age without assistance (Table 1: adapted from Deutsher, 1987). For example, a 13­month­old heifer with a pelvic area of 140 cm2 should be able to deliver a 67­ pound calf without assistance. It is important to emphasize that this calculation does not predict the birth weight of the calf; it simply predicts what size calf the heifer can deliver without assistance. Pelvic area measurements can also be taken at the time of pregnancy examination and even prior to the time of calving, but the division factors to determine deliverable calf size increase with age.

Pelvic Area Measurements in Replacement Heifers

If heifers vary considerably in weight at the time of obtaining the measurements, different ratios should be used. Table 2 shows ratios (factors) to be used for various weights and ages of heifers. These ratios appear to be good indicators of dystocia, with an accuracy of about 80 percent.

Pelvic Area Measurements in Replacement Heifers

Heritability of Pelvic Area:

Research has estimated the heritability of pelvic area to range from 36 to 92 percent with an average of 61 percent (Deutscher, 1989). These values indicate that pelvic area is a highly heritable trait and may be higher than the 45 percent heritability for calf birth weight. This means both traits will respond rapidly to selection. Birth weight does not appear to be highly correlated with pelvic area, so selection for pelvic size should not give a corresponding significant increase in birth weight. By selecting both bulls and heifers for pelvic size, a herd of cows with large pelvic areas could be developed. However, selecting only for pelvic size would probably result in an increased mature cow size.

Using Heifer Pelvic Measurements:

If pelvic measurements are obtained before breeding, potential problem heifers with a small pelvic size can be culled from the herd. One management practice is to cull the smallest 10 to 15 percent. Since the larger, heavier heifers do not always have the largest pelvic area, all heifers should be measured and mated according to pelvic size.

Research indicates that a normal 600­pound yearling heifer should have a pelvis at least 11 centimeters wide and 12 centimeters high (132 cm2 ) to deliver a 63­pound calf. Heifers with a smaller width or height dimension should be considered for culling.

Average pelvic area growth has been calculated at 0.27 cm2 a day from yearling to two years of age in heifers, and continues at a slower rate until the cow reaches maturity. Some producers may wish to adjust pelvic areas of heifers to a standard 365 days of age. This can be accomplished by using the following formula:

365­Day Pelvic Area (heifers) = Actual Pelvic Area (cm2) + [0.27 x (365 ­ age in days)]

However, in a group of puberal heifers, no adjustment is warranted since all heifers could theoretically become pregnant early in the breeding season and have about the same number of days to develop before calving. Heifers with small pelvic areas as yearlings usually have the smallest pelvic areas at calving.

Pelvic measurements should be taken two to three weeks before the breeding season and can be incorporated into a total heifer management program. This program involves selecting heifers for breeding by size and type, obtaining pelvic measurements, palpating for ovarian and uterine development (puberty) and vaccinating for reproductive diseases, all during one processing through the chute.

Such a program helps ensure that a high percentage of the heifers are cycling and could become pregnant early in the breeding season and should result in reduced incidences of dystocia. The program would also aid in an estrous synchronization and artificial insemination program by determining the percentage of heifers cycling and assist in sire selection for reducing difficulty

If heifers are measured at the time of pregnancy examination, small problem heifers could be culled or aborted and sold as feeders. Bred heifers predicted to have a potential problem could also be marked for close observation at calving.

References:

• Deutscher, G.H. Pelvic measurements for reducing calving difficultly. Neb Guide G88­895, Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service, University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
• Guidelines for uniform beef improvement programs. 9th edition. Beef Improvement Federation. Raleigh, N.C.