Losses in Young Calves after Transportation

SUMMARY A study was made of several factors suspected of contributing to the high mortality rate seen among young calves imported into North Dakota for handrearing. Only five items appeared closely related to the death and sickness rates. They were: age when purchased; origin: where or through whom purchased; time of year when purchased; type of feed used to start the calves; and the type of calves purchased (i.e. beef, dairy or dairy × beef crosses). No outstandingly successful therapeutic or prophylactic regime was revealed, though valid interpretations are difficult to make in this category. Pneumonia was reported to be the most frequent cause of death (no veterinary examination in the majority of cases) with scours being the close second.