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© Tim Scrivener About 90% of dairy cows needing veterinary treatment for ill health are within the transition period. This is a term used to describe the three weeks preceding calving to the
three weeks following calving. This is a term used to describe the three weeks preceding calving to the three weeks following calving. A catalogue of changes happens to cows during the
transition period, they go from non-lactating animals with a small increase in energy demands due to their growing and developing calf to having to give birth (an inherently stressful and
painful process) and immediately start to produce large quantities of milk which increases their metabolic demand almost fourfold. See also: Tips for improving cow immunity for transition
success George Giles Westpoint Farm Vets St Columb, Cornwall Unfortunately, about 30-50% of all dairy cows that calve will experience one or more metabolic or infectious diseases during this
period according to the study _Managing critical periods—transition dairy cows_. Traditionally vets and advisers would become involved once things start going wrong such as fertility
problems. But, even if the root cause is identified immediately, we know that often the problem started very early on during the cow’s transition period. But, even if the root cause is
identified immediately, we know that often the problem started very early on during the cow’s transition period. Therefore, it’s really important farmers do more routine monitoring of
specific cohorts of cows to ensure that any future problems are picked up and altered at the earliest possible stage. There are seven key parameters that should be monitored regularly during
the transition period to avoid problem cows post-calving. SEVEN KEY DRY COW PARAMETERS TO MONITOR TEST/SCORING SYSTEM COHORT OF COWS NEEDED FREQUENCY INTERPRETATION Body condition score
(BCS) Dry cows to peak yielders Monthly Look at mean BCS change over this period. Examine the number of outlying cows that lost great than one BCS. This relates to transition success
Non-esterified fatty acids (blood test) Dry cows seven to 14 days pre-calving Depends on herd size, often monthly Assess body fat mobilisation in the late dry period which we want to
minimise. Beta hydroxybutyrate testing Freshly calved cows seven to 14 days post-partum Six cows per week (also herd size dependent) This will assess levels of secondary subclinical ketosis
within the herd, for example, something has caused the cow/s to have an unacceptably large degree of negative energy balance around calving. Dry matter intake (DMI) of dry cows In
particular, close up dry cows Daily Subtle changes in DMI in this group are often significant and should warrant further investigation. Weigh and record what feed is put in front of this
group and weigh the waste taken away. Stocking density All cows in the dry pen As new cows are introduced 1sq m/1,000 litre milk production per lactation. For example, an 8,000-litre cow
should have 8sq m whereas a 12,000-litre cow should have 12sq m of loose housing space. Feed trough space All cows in the dry pen As new cows are introduced At least 60cm a cow, ideally 90cm
Water trough space All cows in the dry pen As new cows are introduced At least 10cm a cow If we can reduce the number of problem cows post-calving we have less disease within the herd to
treat, which in turn results in faster resumption to cyclicity and ultimately better fertility with fewer cows having extended lactations.