The occurrence of diarrhoea in calves under different management systems

A total of 3200 Friesian male calves were purchased into our experimental station at Grange in the period January 1976 to June 1982. The study examined the effect of calf source, serum immunoglobulin level and purchase weight on the occurrence of diarrhoea and death in two systems of calf management. Occurrence of diarrhoea was significantly (P less than 0.001) influenced by calf source, serum immunoglobulin level and purchase weight under both management systems. Deaths were significantly influenced by serum immunoglobulin levels and purchase weight under both systems. Calf liveweight among calves which had diarrhoea was lower. The occurrence of diarrhoea and death was lower among calves group fed acidified milk replacer ad libitum warm compared with calves fed normal milk replacer under similar circumstances.