The aim of the study was to examine difficult calving frequency and the influence of cow body weight, calving season and number as well as calf sex and body weight at birth on calving type of Piemontese cows. The data from the official beef recording scheme concerning 284 deliveries of cows in 3-year period (2000–2002) constituted the material for the research. Calving type was classified as follows: A – easy calving (without any assistance), B – difficult (with use of mechanical jacks or veterinary doctor assistance). The percentage of deliveries classified as difficult was quite high and amounted to 6.3%. More difficult deliveries occurred when bull calves were born (7.3%) than heifer calves (5.7%), but the differences were not statistically significant. Calf body weight at birth had not significant influence on delivery course, but the ratio of difficult deliveries increased together with the weight of newborn calves. Similarly, cow body weight did not significantly influence the calving course, though the number of difficult deliveries decreased with cow body weight increase. Highly significant influence of calving number on delivery course was proved. In case of first delivering cows the ratio of difficult calvings was as high as 23%. That ratio decreased to 2.5% (second delivery) and 1.4% (third and subsequent deliveries).

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