The transition from late pregnancy to early lactation is the highest welfare risk period in a dairy cow's life - targeted management reduces metabolic disease and suffering.
Transition period welfare management is one of the highest-impact interventions available to dairy producers. This three-to-six week window determines the health trajectory of each cow for the entire lactation and beyond. Cows experiencing multiple transition diseases suffer acutely from fever, pain, and metabolic disturbance - and commonly face early culling as a result. Evidence-based transition management - correct dry period nutrition, monitoring for early disease signs, and prompt treatment - reduces welfare burden significantly and extends productive herd life.