Heifer pelvis checks.

Heifer pelvis checks

The body weight or size of an animal doesn’t always translate into an optimal pelvic canal size.

Pelvic scoring is a straightforward and relatively inexpensive technique used to assess the pelvic size and shape, thus identifying individuals with a narrow pelvic canal. This procedure is particularly useful on heifers and on double muscled breeds and it can help predict potential calving issues (dystocia).

Heifers should be ideally >13months of age. If you are either keeping or buying in your replacement heifers, allow yourself some time as scoring is advised at around 6-8weeks before mating.

At Tyndale we use the Rice pelvimeter to carry out this procedure. During the process the vet will also evaluate and score the reproductive tract (uterus and ovaries) of the heifer in order to assess reproductive maturity.

By selecting heifers with higher pelvic scores, farmers can reduce the risk of dystocia, which decreases labour-intensive births, veterinary costs, and calf mortality rates.