Farm Animal Welfare

Dairy Cow Transition Period Welfare

Managing dairy cow welfare during the transition period around calving, when metabolic disease risk is highest.

Key Facts

The transition period is the 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after calving
Metabolic diseases including ketosis, milk fever, and displaced abomasum peak at transition
Nutrition management during dry period is critical for transition health
Overconditioned cows entering transition have significantly elevated disease risk
Proactive monitoring including body condition scoring and blood metabolite testing improves outcomes

Welfare Considerations

The transition period is the most welfare-critical phase of the dairy cow production cycle. The physiological demands of calving combined with the onset of lactation create conditions where metabolic disease risk is very high. Active management of transition cow nutrition, housing, and health monitoring substantially reduces disease incidence and the welfare harm associated with metabolic conditions.

What You Can Do

Support dairy farms with documented transition cow welfare management protocols
Ask your dairy supplier about transition period disease rates and management
Advocate for transition cow welfare to be included in dairy welfare certification