Farm Animals

Dairy Cow Transition Period Welfare and Ketosis

The transition from late pregnancy to early lactation is the highest welfare risk period for dairy cows. Metabolic disease including ketosis, milk fever and displaced abomasum peaks in this period.

Key Facts

Transition period is defined as 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving
Subclinical ketosis affects up to 40% of dairy cows in the first 2 weeks of lactation
Monitoring blood BHBA levels enables early intervention before clinical disease
Negative energy balance in early lactation is a management challenge in high-yielding cows

Welfare Considerations

Transition period welfare requires nutrition management that minimises negative energy balance without causing other metabolic diseases. Monitoring body condition score through dry period and early lactation, combined with BHBA testing, enables early intervention before welfare-compromising disease develops.

What You Can Do

Support dairy welfare certification that includes transition period monitoring requirements
Ask dairy producers about their transition cow management and metabolic disease monitoring
Advocate for transition cow welfare standards in dairy farm assurance schemes