Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Metabolic Disease Prevention

Metabolic diseases including ketosis, milk fever, and displaced abomasum cluster around calving. Comprehensive prevention through nutrition and management protects dairy cow welfare.

Key Facts

Ketosis affects 10-40% of dairy cows in the first three weeks after calving
Subclinical ketosis impairs immune function and reproductive performance
Early detection through ketone monitoring enables treatment before clinical disease develops
Negative energy balance in high-yielding cows is the underlying driver of metabolic disease
Body condition scoring throughout the dry period guides prevention strategies

Welfare Considerations

Metabolic disease causes significant welfare harm during the transition period. Prevention through excellent nutrition management is far more effective and welfare-positive than treatment of established disease.

What You Can Do

Support dairy farms with comprehensive metabolic disease monitoring and prevention
Choose dairy from farms with low metabolic disease records
Advocate for transition cow welfare to be prioritised in dairy standards
Learn about metabolic disease prevention in dairy cows