Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Transition Period Management

The transition period around calving is the most metabolically demanding phase of the dairy cow's productive life. Poor management causes disease, suffering and reduced productive performance.

Key Facts

Hypocalcaemia, ketosis and displaced abomasum are the most common transition diseases
Up to 50% of dairy cows experience at least one disease event in the transition period
Body condition score at dry-off predicts transition period disease risk strongly
Negative energy balance peaks in the first week after calving
Provision of adequate feed space and social stability reduces competition stress

Welfare Considerations

Transition period management determines the welfare trajectory of dairy cows across the subsequent lactation. Investment in transition nutrition, housing and monitoring prevents substantial suffering.

What You Can Do

Support dairy welfare standards that audit transition cow management
Advocate for body condition scoring as a mandatory welfare indicator in dairy herds
Choose dairy products from farms with high welfare certification