Transition Cow Nutrition: Evidence-Based Management

Optimising transition cow nutrition in the three weeks before and after calving is the highest-impact welfare management intervention in dairy production; evidence-based protocols are well established.

Key Facts

Negative energy balance in early lactation drives ketosis, displaced abomasum, and metritis
Dietary cation-anion balance (DCAB) management prevents milk fever in over 90% of treated cows
Body condition score at drying-off is the strongest predictor of transition disease risk
Consistent access to high-quality forage in the close-up period is the foundation of transition management

Welfare Considerations

Transition cow management is a rare welfare intervention where the science is clear, the tools are available, and the commercial and welfare incentives are aligned — yet implementation remains variable. The cost of transition disease in treatment, lost production, and reduced longevity substantially exceeds the cost of preventive management. Farms with systematic transition management programmes consistently achieve lower disease incidence, better welfare outcomes, and better financial performance.

What You Can Do

Support dairy farmers in implementing evidence-based transition management programmes
Advocate for transition disease incidence reporting as a mandatory welfare indicator
Choose dairy products from farms with documented transition management protocols