Breeding, Housing, and Feeding Management

Abstract

The rate of ea~ mortality increases with increasing herd size unless a specialist is involved in calf raising; then there is a drop in the death rate. Breeds of larger dairy cattle have more difficulty calving, and this appears to result in a high calf mortality rate at or soon after birth. Sires differ in respect to size of calf produced, and it behooves the dairyman to use care in selecting sires to mate with heifers. Calves from the breeds of smaller cattle appear to possess less antibody protection. They typically have a higher incidence of diarrhea.