Well-reared calves are often the best milkers

Researchers at Teagasc Moorepark have estimated that calf mortality ranges from 3% to 15% on Irish dairy farms.

They say that the target for good calf rearing should be less than 3% mortality.

Calves are born without a developed immune system, and depend entirely on antibodies from colostrum to gain adequate immunity, until they develop their own immune system at three or four weeks of age.