The method of determining the body weight of a newborn calf comprises weighing a control group of first newborn calves having different body weights, measuring the circumference of a front hoof of each of the first newborn calves in the control group, and recording the respective body weights and hoof circumferences measured for each of the calves in the control group. Next, the circumference of a front hoof of a newborn calf of unknown body weight is measured and is compared to a substantially equal hoof circumference of one of the newborn calves in the control group. The weight of the newborn calf of unknown body weight is determined by equating it to the body weight of the newborn calf in the control group having the closest hoof circumference to the hoof circumference measured for the calf of unknown body weight.