Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Transition Period Innovation

Innovation in transition cow management including specific nutritional formulations and monitoring protocols is reducing disease incidence and improving welfare in the highest-risk period for dairy cows.

Key Facts

Negative energy balance in early lactation is the driver of most transition period metabolic disease
Propylene glycol drenching reduces ketosis risk in high-risk cows identified by body condition scoring
Hyperketonaemia detection using on-farm milk ketone testing enables targeted intervention
Rumen buffer provision in the close-up dry period reduces acidosis risk post-calving
Transition cow management protocols based on individual risk stratification improve outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Innovation in transition cow management translates directly into welfare improvements by preventing metabolic disease in the highest-risk period. Evidence-based protocols tailored to individual risk reduce preventable suffering.

What You Can Do

Support dairy welfare certification that specifies transition period management protocols
Advocate for ketosis monitoring as a mandatory welfare outcome metric in dairy schemes
Choose dairy from farms with documented transition cow health programmes