Survival of the neonatal calf

Factors that influence passive transfer of immunoglobulins from colostrum to the calf include timing of colostrum intake, immunoglobulin concentration of the colostrum, presence of the dam, season, and individual calf variation in efficiency of absorption. This article describes a study conducted to determine the effect of body condition at calving and calving difficulty on calf vigor and calf serum immunoglobulin concentrations, and to determine the relationship of calf serum immunoglobulin concentration and calf growth at weaning.