title: Investigating perinatal calf mortality in beef herds.
abstract: This article summarizes the information presented in this issue to identify the reasons for a perinatal calf mortality (PCM) problem through a risk-factor-evaluation approach. The benefits of necropsies in PCM investigations are discussed, and the gross lesions of the major causes of PCM are described. The use of 2 x 2 tables to calculate odds ratios and the Chi-square method to test the validity of the odds ratios are presented as methods to determine suspected risk factors. The article concludes with a discussion of the management plan used to solve a PCM problem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine, College Station.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Wikse
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kinsel
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Holland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001344:Autopsy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000662:veterinary*; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors