Dry Cow Management

Dry cow management of cows in the High Forage Herd focuses on body condition score, length of dry period, and dry period nutrition. The aims are to ensure that cows calve down at the target condition score of between 2.5 and 3.0. Target lengths of dry period are six weeks for cows and eight weeks for heifers. Animals in poor condition (less than body condition score 2.25) at the end of the dry period are dried off two weeks earlier to allow condition to be gained.  

Cows are fed pre-calver feed from four weeks before calving. At one week before calving, the animals are moved to a straw bedded pen and fed the lactation silage along with up to 2.0 kilos of the lactation concentrate. Heifers deemed at risk from oedema (excessive springing) are not fed concentrates.

All animals hooves are routinely examined and trimmed if necessary as they are dried off to allow time for recovery before the start of the next lactation.