Farm Animal Welfare

Dairy Cow Transition Period Welfare

The transition period around calving is one of the highest welfare risk periods for dairy cows, associated with metabolic disease and immune challenges.

Key Facts

The transition period spans roughly 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving
Milk fever, ketosis, displaced abomasum, and mastitis peak in the transition period
Body condition score management throughout pregnancy affects transition health
Dry cow therapy and vaccination programs reduce transition disease burden
Monitoring technology can detect early signs of metabolic disease before clinical signs

Welfare Considerations

The transition period represents a critical welfare pinch point in dairy production. Proactive management through nutrition, monitoring, and veterinary support can dramatically reduce suffering during this vulnerable phase.

What You Can Do

Support dairy farms investing in transition cow management programs
Advocate for veterinary involvement in transition health protocols on all farms
Choose dairy products from farms with monitored and certified welfare standards