Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Dry Cow Therapy Welfare

Dry cow therapy prevents mastitis in the next lactation. Evidence-based approaches balance welfare, antibiotic stewardship, and udder health.

Key Facts

Selective dry cow therapy treats only cows with evidence of infection at drying off
Blanket dry cow therapy treats all cows regardless of infection status
Teat sealants without antibiotic provide protection against new infections
SCC history, clinical mastitis records, and culture results guide selection
AMR concerns have accelerated adoption of selective approaches

Welfare Considerations

Dry cow therapy that correctly identifies and treats infected cows prevents the welfare harm of mastitis in the subsequent lactation. Selective therapy that avoids treating uninfected cows reduces unnecessary antibiotic exposure without compromising protection for those who need it. Evidence-based selection protocols that use cow-level data to target treatment are both welfare and stewardship positive.

What You Can Do

Work with your vet to implement selective dry cow therapy based on cow-level data
Use teat sealants in cows not requiring antibiotic treatment
Record SCC and mastitis data consistently to enable selection
Advocate for selective dry cow therapy as a welfare and AMR stewardship standard