Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Transition Period Welfare Management

The 3 weeks before and after calving represent the highest welfare risk period for dairy cows, requiring intensive management.

Key Facts

The transition period encompasses the final 3 weeks of pregnancy and first 3 weeks of lactation
Immune function is naturally suppressed around calving increasing disease susceptibility
Energy deficit in early lactation drives fat mobilisation predisposing to ketosis and fatty liver
Calcium regulation fails in susceptible cows causing milk fever and immune compromise
Transition management programmes significantly reduce disease incidence and welfare problems

Welfare Considerations

The transition period concentrates more welfare risk than any other phase of the dairy cow's productive life. Multiple disease conditions occur simultaneously and compound each other, creating a welfare crisis that is largely preventable through proactive management. Investment in transition monitoring, nutrition, and timely treatment provides welfare benefits across the entire lactation.

What You Can Do

Support transition period management training for dairy farm staff
Advocate for transition monitoring requirements in dairy welfare certification
Learn about transition cow welfare to support effective advocacy