Farm Animals

Cattle Transition Cow Welfare and Metabolic Health

The welfare challenges of the transition period in dairy cows from three weeks before to three weeks after calving.

Key Facts

The transition period is the highest risk time for dairy cow health and welfare
Fatty liver, hypocalcaemia, and ketosis are common transition period diseases
Nutritional management before calving significantly reduces metabolic disease incidence
Body condition score at drying off predicts transition period health outcomes
Transition cow programs combining nutrition, monitoring, and prompt treatment improve outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Transition period diseases cause significant pain, metabolic disturbance, and reduced welfare in dairy cows. Many cases are preventable through nutrition management. The transition period is a critical focus for dairy welfare improvement programs.

What You Can Do

Support dairy welfare standards that include transition cow health monitoring requirements
Advocate for nutritional management guidance as part of dairy farm assurance
Choose dairy products from farms with documented transition cow welfare programs