Early postnatal milk replacer diet affects ADG and feed efficiency and can have long-term consequences on calf growth, health and productivity. This study examined how plane of nutrition affects calf body weight, height, bone mineralization, and organ size. On postnatal d 1, Holstein bull calves (n = 4–5/diet/time point) were assigned randomly to a low plane of nutrition (LPN; 20% CP, 20% fat; 441 g DM/d) or high plane of nutrition (HPN; 27% CP, 10% fat; 882 g DM/d during wk 1 and 1131 g DM/d thereafter). Starter grain (25% CP, 4% fat) was offered at 1% BW beginning at wk 3. At 2, 4, or 8 wk of age, calves were euthanized and bone mineralization and body composition were determined with Dual Energy x-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). Visceral organs were removed and weighed, and empty carcass weight (ECW) was recorded. Data were analyzed by least squares ANOVA. Final BW and ADG were greater (P < 0.05) in calves fed HPN at each time point. Hip heights and bone mineral densities were greater (P < 0.05) for HPN calves than LPN calves at 8 wk but not at 2 or 4 wk. ECW-adjusted organ weights also were affected by diet. Thymus weight was greater (P < 0.05) in HPN calves than LPN calves at 4 and 8 wk (0.37% vs. 0.13% and 0.64% vs. 0.22%, respectively; SEM = 0.03). Spleen weight was greater (P < 0.05) in HPN calves than LPN calves at 8 wk (0.93% vs. 0.46%; SEM = 0.05). Also, kidney and liver weights were greater (P < 0.05) in HPN calves at 4 wk, and lung weights were reduced (P < 0.05) in HPN calves at 2 wk. Weights of the heart and pancreas did not differ based on plane of nutrition within each time point. Calf ECW was greater (P < 0.01) in the HPN group at each time point. In summary, deviations in growth rates, bone mineralization, and organ weights were evident between calves fed HPN and LPN diets. These outcomes are consistent with the contention that HPN feeding accelerates growth and improves health in young calves. The beneficial effects of HPN on bone mineral density and immune-centric organs provide new possibilities for understanding the effects of early nutrition on calf immune responses and productive lifespan of the cow.