African or European, coconut or not - how much does a new calf weigh?

For those familiar with the on-going debate over the air-speed velocity an swallow bearing a coconut by the husk, "[i]t's not a question of where he grips it! It's a simple question of weight ratios! A five ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut..." - source the IMDB.

Similarly, when it comes to estimating the weight of a new (and unladen) calf, it's not a question of the size of the new born's hoof, but the circumference of the cow just behind the withers.

In a discussion in the cattle forum, a newly blessed HT BBS member asks:

We had a new calf today. The second of our 4 winter calves comming. Great Calf Healthy and doing good. Very Large ...

... I was wondering has anyone used or does anyone know how to tell how much a calf weighs by measuring their foot ... ?

With thoughtful advice in mind, other members offered friendly advice best summed up by other members replied to the weight estimation question with:

"Yes they make weight tapes and they are pretty accurate or you could pick the calf up and step on the bathroom scales..."

"The hoof method of weight is not accurate ... Weight tape would be best..."

The last two comments referring to weigh tapes commonly at local feed stores, or online - tapes based on statistical relationship between a calf's heart girth and body weight of calves from 80 to 282 pounds according to a PDF file entitled "Monitoring Growth in Dairy Heifers" provided by Penn State's Dairy and Animal Science department.

Yet another example of the neighborly help and thoughtful advice like the above can be found at HomesteadingtToday.com.