Farm Animals

Farmed Cattle Transition Period Metabolic Welfare

The transition period around calving is the highest-risk period for dairy cow welfare, with metabolic diseases causing significant suffering.

Key Facts

Hypocalcaemia (milk fever), ketosis, and displaced abomasum are the main transition diseases
Subclinical disease is far more prevalent than clinical presentations but still reduces welfare
Cows that experience one transition disease are more likely to develop others
Dry cow nutrition management in the three weeks before calving significantly affects outcomes
Over-conditioning at drying off is a primary risk factor for transition disease

Welfare Considerations

Dairy cows experiencing transition diseases suffer from pain, weakness, reduced appetite, and impaired immune function. Most transition disease is preventable through nutritional management and monitoring. Reducing transition disease incidence is one of the highest-impact welfare interventions available to dairy farmers.

What You Can Do

Support dairy welfare auditing that includes transition disease monitoring
Advocate for transition disease incidence thresholds as welfare audit criteria
Choose dairy products from farms with documented transition management protocols