The transition period around calving is the most welfare-critical phase of the dairy cow's productive cycle, with high rates of disease and metabolic disorders.
The transition period involves multiple overlapping welfare challenges including calving stress, pain from conditions like milk fever and metritis, and the physiological strain of initiating lactation. Cows developing multiple diseases in early lactation experience compounding suffering and reduced quality of life throughout their productive period. Welfare-focused transition management prioritises prevention through nutrition, comfortable calving accommodation, close monitoring, and prompt treatment. High disease rates during transition should be monitored as a welfare indicator and trigger for management review.