The transition from dry period to lactation is the most metabolically demanding and welfare-risky phase of the dairy cow production cycle.
Dairy cow transition welfare reflects the physiological demands imposed by high-yield genetic selection. Cows bred for maximum milk production face the greatest metabolic challenge at calving. Subclinical ketosis causes reduced appetite, immune suppression, and reproductive failure without obvious clinical signs. Early detection through blood monitoring and proactive management of at-risk cows reduces welfare costs. The transition period welfare implications reflect the systemic costs of genetic selection for maximum production without attention to metabolic resilience.