Management of transition cows in dairy practice

The calving period is a high-risk time for dairy cows. Common disorders that can occur include milk fever, clinical ketosis, displaced abomasa, mastitis, metritis and endometritis, all of which reduce subsequent fertility. The higher the milk yield potential of the cow, the greater the challenge, and as many of the diseases are interlinked, cows often suffer multiple disorders. This article discusses a number of preventive strategies centred around transition cow management that have the potential to reduce the incidence of disease at this important time, and thus improve animal welfare.