Scour accounts for over half of all mortality rates in newborn calves

ALMOST 70,000 calves die between birth and six weeks of age and a further 42,500 are stillborn, according to official figures from the Department of Agriculture.

The mortality figures are revealed in the department’s Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system report for 2008.

Veterinary specialist Maureen Prendergast said while calf deaths up to six weeks dropped by 7% from just under 75,000 in 2007 to 69,500 in 2008, they still represent a major drain on farm income.