@conference {40940,
	title = {Induction of Parturition in Dairy Cows - A Survey from spring 1996 in the Waikato region.},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {57},
	year = {1997},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {231-233},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Data were gathered relating to the practice of induction of premature parturition from farms in the central Waikato during spring 1996. A standard two-injection glucocorticoid treatment regime was employed. The reproductive tract of each cow receiving this treatment was examined 3 - 5 days post partum. Additional information relating to cow management was collected by interviewing participating herd-owners. Preliminary data relating to subsequent reproductive performance of a subset of the cows are also presented. Accurate data were obtained for a total of 691 cows on 31 dairy farms. The mean induction rate was 10\% (range 2 - 24\%) of the cows in each herd. The distribution of the ages of induced cows was skewed, with 25\% of cows being 3 yr old. Of the 35\% of cows which calved to a single injection of glucocorticoid, 76\% were within 30 days of full term based on expected calving dates. Inadequate progress in udder development following the first injection was seen in 11\% of cows, of which 78\% were more than 30 days premature. Only 56\% of cows completed the routine two-injection regime. Dystocia requiring at least moderate intervention occurred in 15 cows (2\%). There were no cows with retained foetal membranes (RFM) on 33\% of farms, but the overall incidence of RFM in cows receiving routine induction was 14\%. No intervention was required for 43\% of these, which resolved spontaneously within 48 h of calving. Milk fever was the complication most frequently reported (overall incidence 2.8\%) and contributed to 3 of the 6 reported deaths. Preliminary data from 11 farms indicated that 7\% of cows were not presented for re-breeding. Only 12\% required treatment for anoestrum. The mean calving to 1st service interval was 64 {\textpm} 2 days, and 53\% had appeared to hold to 1st service. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Verkerk GA and Goble G and McDougall S and Woods M and Clark B and Macmillan KL}
}
