Farm Animal Welfare

Dairy Cow Transition Period Welfare

The transition period around calving is the highest-risk time for dairy cow health and welfare - targeted management dramatically reduces disease.

Key Facts

The transition period covers 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after calving
Negative energy balance after calving triggers fat mobilisation and ketosis
Liver function can be overwhelmed, leading to cascade health failure
Metritis, mastitis, and displaced abomasum cluster in transition cows
Body condition score at drying off strongly predicts transition disease risk

Welfare Considerations

Transition cow welfare requires proactive nutrition, monitoring, and prompt treatment. Failing to support cows through this period leads to significant suffering from multiple, often concurrent diseases.

What You Can Do

Advocate for high transition cow management standards on dairy farms
Support research into nutritional interventions that reduce transition disease
Choose dairy products from farms with transparent health reporting