Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Transition Period Health

The transition period from three weeks before to three weeks after calving is the highest risk welfare period for dairy cows. Comprehensive transition management prevents disease and suffering.

Key Facts

Immune suppression around calving increases susceptibility to all infectious diseases
Negative energy balance is unavoidable as lactation begins but can be managed
Antioxidant supplementation including selenium and vitamin E supports immune function
Anti-inflammatory treatment at calving has welfare and production benefits
Monitoring programmes including ketone testing enable early intervention before clinical disease

Welfare Considerations

Transition period welfare is the most important welfare management priority in dairy farming. Investment in monitoring, nutrition, and preventive treatment prevents a cascade of diseases that cause substantial welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Support dairy farms with comprehensive transition period management programmes
Advocate for transition cow welfare monitoring as a dairy certification requirement
Learn about transition period disease and its welfare implications
Choose dairy from farms with verified low transition disease records