A well-managed dry-off period pays dividends in higher milk yield, healthier cows and fewer fresh cow problems. By prioritizing comfort, health and body condition, producers can turn this resting phase into one of the most productive investments in the herd’s future performance.

Looking at optimizing the entire transition period may seem like a daunting task at first, but it gets easier when we break it down into three key time periods: 60 days pre-fresh, 30 days pre-fresh and 30 days post-fresh.

Mastitis is always a concern around the dairy, but staying extra vigilant at dry-off and during the dry period is important for preventing clinical infections.

This article from researchers from the University of Guelph is a literature review discussing insights and knowledge gaps linking health disorders with different processes related to reproductive function.

Correctly differentiating mastitis from teat sealant residue is important to minimize unnecessary interventions and to make sure we’re using antibiotics judiciously on farms. 

It would be handy to have a crystal ball at dry-off time. After freshening, will the cow produce high-quality colostrum that transfers needed antibodies to her calf? Will she freshen without mastitis?