The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of non-genetic factors affecting calving difficulty in the Holstein population of the Czech Republic for subsequent compilation of the model for genetic evaluation as well as for herd management practice. Calving difficulty was assessed in three categories. A data set was analysed by a linear model with fixed effects of season, parity of dam, sex of calf and Holstein gene proportion. All these effects were significant. The results of analyses of gestation length, age at first calving and preceding calving interval revealed that a higher risk of difficult calving was associated with short or long gestation and with a prolonged preceding calving interval in multiparous cows. A decreased risk of difficult calving could be achieved by an altering of calving interval and age at first calving as a management tool.