Dry Cow Management
Aidan Cushnahan, Dairying Development Adviser, Greenmount Campus, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise
Introduction
The dry period (usually 6 – 8 weeks) is the stage in the cow’s production cycle where the udder is given a chance to rest and repair itself for the next lactation. An effective dry cow management programme should ensure that cows calve down at condition score 3 and that the risk of contacting metabolic disorders at calving such as milk fever is minimised. The following article will discuss management aspects of an effective dry cow management programme in more detail
Monitoring and managing body condition
Monitoring and managing cow body condition is a critical component of a successful dry cow management programme. Cows that calve down in poor condition/ over condition will not achieve maximum feed intakes post calving which in turn limits milk yield and other performance parameters. Target condition score at drying off and calving is 3.0
Now is the time to monitor body condition among the late lactation cows in your herd as this will allow you time to modify your management programme to achieve condition score 3.0 at drying off. For example, feed supplies should be restricted to over fat cows (condition score > 3.5). Likewise late lactation cows in poor condition (condition score < 2.5) should be given additional feed (1 – 2 kg concentrate/ cow/ day) to optimise body condition at drying off. Alternatively some thin cows may be given a longer dry period than normal to help build body reserves. However ensure that an appropriate dry cow tube is used to give adequate protection for this period – if in doubt consult your local veterinary surgeon
Management during the dry period
Cows should be managed to maintain condition score 3.0 during the dry period. It is also important to ensure that cows receive an adequate supply of dry cow minerals at this stage to minimise the risk of animals contracting metabolic disorder such as milk fever which occur post calving. As cows approach calving (7 – 10 days pre calving) some of the lactation diet should be offered to the animals as this will aid their transition onto their lactation feeding regime
Health issues
The cow’s udder is susceptible to infection. Therefore dry cows should be moved onto a clean area after dry cow treatment and away from woodland to minimise the risk of summer mastitis (felon). Drying off cows will also allow you to opportunity to examine cow’s feet as well as controlling parasites and carrying out some vaccinations
Summary
An effective dry cow management programme programme incorporates the following elements:
- Assess body condition 6 – 8 weeks before drying off and manage the animal to achieve condition score 3.0 at drying off
- Manage cows during the dry period to maintain condition score 3.0
- Offer dry cow minerals to cows during the dry period
- Do not ignore health management issues at drying off
Contact your local Dairying Development Adviser if you wish to discuss aspects of an effective dry cow management programme in more details
It is important cows calve down 'fit not fat'
Adjusting feed levels to improve cow condition in late lactation is cost effective
