Intensive Dairy Welfare: Transition Cow Management

The transition period around calving is the most welfare-critical phase in the dairy cow year, with metabolic disease and immune suppression at peak risk during this time.

Key Facts

The transition period spans 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving, a period of intense physiological change.
Subclinical ketosis affects 40-60% of dairy cows in early lactation in many intensive systems.
Hypocalcaemia (milk fever) causes acute collapse and is more common in high-yielding cows.
Abomasal displacement, retained foetal membranes, and metritis cluster in the transition period.
Good body condition score management through dry period significantly reduces transition disease risk.

Welfare Considerations

Transition period management is one of the highest-leverage welfare interventions available to dairy farmers. Cows experiencing subclinical ketosis suffer energy deficiency, immune suppression, and increased susceptibility to mastitis, lameness, and reproductive failure. Preventing transition disease through appropriate dry cow nutrition, controlled body condition, adequate dry cow space, and prompt detection and treatment of early disease reduces suffering and improves long-term welfare across the lactation. Vets and nutritionists working collaboratively with farmers produce the best outcomes.

What You Can Do

Work with your vet and nutritionist to develop a transition cow management protocol for your herd.
Monitor dry cow body condition score and adjust feed to achieve target score before calving.
Screen fresh cows for ketosis using milk or blood testing in the first week post-calving.
Ensure adequate space allowances in dry cow and fresh cow pens to reduce stress and disease.
Review transition disease incidence annually as a welfare and productivity performance indicator.