CPD article: Pre-breeding heifer examination and selection in UK beef herds

The objective of this review is to evaluate examination tools and how they can be used to assess the breeding potential of beef heifers prior to service. Reproductive tract examination techniques, pelvic measurement, and antral follicle counts (AFC) are methods that are used and could be of value to farmers where they can either identify pubescent heifers and/or those with the best reproductive potential. Reproductive tract scoring (RTS) to assess the pubertal state and therefore reproductive status of replacement heifers is explored alongside further adaptions of this method. The use of pelvic measurement is considered: first, where a small pelvic area or an abnormal shaped pelvic inlet is identified, which may result in elimination from the breeding cohort to reduce the potential risk of dystocia and poor performance; and second, since it may be advocated for use in conjunction with other methods. AFC are included since they too may help identify the reproductive potential of heifers. Evaluation of these examination tools demonstrates that the use of modified RTS methods, to include ultrasound examination to detect the absence of a corpus luteum (CL), absence of a follicle ≥ 13 mm and the uterine horn diameter as well as pelvic measurements, could add value to heifer breeding soundness examinations (HBSE) when carried out.

Inner pelvic measurements in dairy breeds

Dystocia causes great financial losses: due to dystocia milk production is decreased and the probability of calf loss is increased. There are many factors that may cause dystocia. One of the factors –often investigated in beef cattle- is pelvic measurements. There have not been inner pelvic measurement comparisons in dairy breeds in Hungary. After comparing the imported, primiparous cows, Jersey turned out to have the smallest absolute inner pelvic measures. According to their age and weight, Brown Swiss cows had the largest pelvic dimensions. Ayrshires, Norwegian and Swedish Red, the three dairy breeds which share similar genetic background did not differ in most measures. Holsteins were closest to the seemingly ideal 1:1 horizontal and vertical diameter ratio; however this breed suffers the most from dystocia. Jerseys, despite having the smallest pelvic area are famous of their calving ease, perhaps not by coincidence. Though this dairy breed is the lightest, when pelvic area was compared in ratio of body weight Jerseys were not smaller than the 130 and 114 kg heavier Norwegian and Swedish Red cows.

Inner pelvic measurements in dairy breeds

Dystocia causes great financial losses: due to dystocia milk production is decreased and the probability of calf loss is increased. There are many factors that may cause dystocia. One of the factors –often investigated in beef cattle- is pelvic measurements. There have not been inner pelvic measurement comparisons done on dairy breeds in Hungary.After comparing the imported, primiparous cows, Jerseys turned out to have the smallest absolute inner pelvic measures. According to their age and weight, Brown Swiss cows had the largest pelvic dimensions. Ayrshire, Norwegian and Swedish Red, the three dairy breeds which share similar genetic background did not differ in most measures. Holsteins were closest to the apparent ideal 1:1 horizontal and vertical diameter ratio; however, this breed suffers the most from dystocia. Jerseys, despite having the smallest pelvic area are famous of their calving ease, perhaps not by coincidence. Although this dairy breed is the lightest, when the pelvic area was compared in ratio of body weight Jerseys were not smaller than the 130 and 114 kg heavier Norwegian and Swedish Red cows.