The transition period around calving is the highest-risk time for dairy cow health and welfare. Good management during this period dramatically reduces disease, suffering, and culling.
Transition period welfare is fundamental to dairy cow wellbeing. The physiological demands of late pregnancy combined with onset of lactation create an intense metabolic challenge that, without excellent management, results in cascading disease and suffering. Ketosis causes neurological signs and reduced appetite. Milk fever causes acute muscle weakness. Excellent transition management includes appropriate body condition throughout lactation, pre-calving dietary calcium management, post-calving monitoring and early treatment, and minimising stressful social disruptions. Investment in transition cow management delivers both welfare and economic returns.