2024DASC3474-Module 8-Dry Cows - Tagged

Module 8 – Dry Cows

1. Importance of the Dry Period

  • The dry period is critical for dairy cows for several reasons:

    • Allows for udder tissue recovery and regeneration.

    • Reduces incidence of new infections during the dry period.

    • Aids in preparing the cow’s body for the next lactation.

2. Handling High Producing Cows

  • Drying Off Process

    • Abruptly stop milking to commence the dry period.

    • For cows producing over 60 lbs/day:

      • Reduce grain intake or separate from TMR-fed herd.

      • Infuse each quarter with a commercial intramammary antibiotic.

      • Dip teats with effective teat dip.

3. Dry Cow Therapy (DCT)

  • Advantages of DCT Over Lactation Therapy

    • Higher cure rates than treatment during lactation.

    • More effective antibiotic dosage allowed during dry period.

    • Extended retention time of antibiotics in the udder.

    • Reduces risk of new infections during dry phase.

    • Repairs tissue damaged by mastitis.

4. Separation from Milking Herd

  • Reasons for Separation

    • Prevent accidental milking, avoiding contamination of milk tank.

    • Feed higher-fiber diets for cost-effectiveness and dietary needs.

5. Housing and Environmental Management

  • Minimize exposure to dirty conditions.

  • Include heat stress management strategies.

  • Provide ample feed space; control fly populations.

6. Grouping Dry Cows

  • Recommended grouping includes:

    • Far-off Dry Cows: From drying off until 21 days pre-calving.

    • Close-up Dry Cows: Within 21 days of expected calving date.

7. Feeding Far-off and Close-up Dry Cows

  • Far-off Dry Cows: High roughage diets targeting 2% of bodyweight.

    • Corn silage limited to 50% of forage dry matter.

  • Close-up Dry Cows: Transition to higher energy diets.

8. Body Condition Scoring (BCS)

  • Target BCS: 3.5 at drying off.

  • Goals: Maintain condition while preparing for calving.

    • Ideal BCS prior to calving: 3.0 to 3.5

    • Fresh through early lactation: 2.75 to 3.0

    • Aim for ≤ 0.5 decrease in BCS from transition to mid-lactation.

9. Transition Period Importance

  • The transition period is crucial because:

    • It involves significant physiological changes in cows.

    • Cow comfort must be prioritized: clean, dry, and well-ventilated.

10. Nutrient Requirements During Lactation

Item

Far-off Dry Cow

Close-up Dry Cow

20 DIM

100 DIM

200 DIM

DMI (lbs)

31

27

57

65

60

CP (%)

11.9

14.3

17.5

17.4

17.5

RDP (%)

10.0

10.0

10.0

10.0

10.0

RUP (%)

1.9

4.3

7.5

7.4

7.5

NEL (Mcal/lb)

0.58

0.68

0.77

0.81

0.78

NDF, min %

25-33

25-33

25-33

25-33

25-33

Starch, max %

15-20

15-20

22-30

22-30

22-30

11. Keys to Preventing Poor Transition Cows

  • Provide ample bunk space.

  • Monitor social stress from pen movements.

  • Ensure adequate bedding in stalls.

  • Conduct effective screening of cows needing attention.

12. Herd Alarm Levels for Common Diseases

  • Hyperketonemia: Cost/case $289, incidence 15%.

  • Clinical Hypocalcemia: Cost/case $150, incidence 3%.

  • Displaced Abomasum: Cost/case $700, incidence 3%.

  • Mastitis: Cost/case $376, incidence 3%.

13. Cow Management During Transition Period

  • Management Practices:

    • Remove old feed from the bunk daily.

    • Ensure feed availability for at least 23 hours/day.

    • Push-up feed every 4 hours.

    • Maintain refusals (feed) of 3-5%.

    • Provide 24 inches of eating space per head.

    • Ensure at least 4 linear inches of water availability per head.

14. Management Monitor Assessment

  • Monitors for managing transition:

    • Dry periods, first milk, fat:protein ratio, udder health.

    • Days to first breeding, survival, stress.

  • Uses a 100-point scale to measure management success.

  • Comparison goals set against top 10% of similar herds.