Surplus dairy calves consist of all male and non-replacement female calves that are sold from the dairy farm soon after birth. Approximately 80% of surplus calves are transported from source dairy farms in early life. An increasing number of dairies are electing to breed dairy cows with beef semen (“beef on dairy”), resulting in a greater proportion of surplus calves leaving the source dairy farm compared to previous years. However, young calves have undeveloped immune systems, less mature physiological stress responses, and cannot thermoregulate well, which makes them especially susceptible to these stressors. By focusing on preparing calves for transportation, some of the negative consequences of transporting young calves can be mitigated.