Dairy Cow Welfare During the Transition Period

The transition period, the 3 weeks before and after calving, is the highest-risk phase of the dairy cow production cycle. Metabolic diseases, immune suppression, and social stress combine to cause significant welfare compromise in fresh cows.

Key Facts

Transition period diseases including ketosis, milk fever, retained placenta, and metritis affect 30-50% of dairy cows
Negative energy balance at peak lactation causes mobilisation of body fat leading to ketosis
Immune suppression in the 2-3 weeks around calving increases susceptibility to mastitis and other infections
Cows moved to fresh cow groups at calving face social regrouping stress on top of metabolic demands
Transition cow management is the single most economically and welfare-important phase of dairy production

Welfare Considerations

Transition cows experiencing subclinical ketosis show reduced feed intake, depressed demeanour, and reduced milk production. Clinical diseases cause acute pain including mastitis-associated udder inflammation, metritis causing uterine infection, and hypocalcaemia causing inability to stand. The compounding of metabolic challenge and social disruption from regrouping creates a welfare-intensive period that requires dedicated management resources.

What You Can Do

If you farm dairy cattle, implement a transition cow management protocol with your vet
Support use of body condition scoring to manage cows entering the dry period at correct condition
Minimise regrouping of cows in the 3 weeks around calving
Donate to veterinary research institutions studying transition cow welfare and disease prevention
Advocate for farm assurance scheme requirements for transition cow monitoring protocols