The transition period (3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving) is the most welfare-critical phase of the dairy cow's productive year. Metabolic disease risk is highest and welfare outcomes at this stage set the pattern for the entire lactation.
The transition period is welfare-critical because the physiological demands of calving and the onset of lactation exceed the dairy cow's capacity to consume and process energy. Every cow is at risk; management practices that reduce negative energy balance, detect metabolic dysfunction early and treat it promptly are welfare-essential. Herds where transition disease is normalised - where ketosis is regarded as inevitable rather than preventable - are herds where significant animal suffering is accepted as a production cost. Best practice farms achieve transition disease rates below 5% through nutrition, monitoring and early intervention - demonstrating that high welfare and high production are compatible.