Dairy dry cows, like all animals in late pregnancy, require lots of TLC (tender loving care). The dry period of 6-8 weeks allows the cow a chance to have a well-earned rest.

But more importantly it allows her body tissues time to recover and repair after the rigours of a long and hard lactation. The modern-day high yielding dairy cows works extremely hard during her 300+ days in milk during a lactation.

So how do we manage these dry cows in the current challenging times in our industry? We need them to remain healthy and efficient regardless of milk price. Perhaps even more so, I would suggest.

There is no absolute blueprint. I find that every dairy farm has a slightly different dry cow regime. This has often taken some time to perfect and there can be bumps in the road.

One or two stage dry cow system

First of all, it is important that we identify that the dry period can be split into two periods, far off and close up. The far-off period runs from drying off until around 3 weeks prior to calving.

The close-up period is from 3 weeks pre calving to calving. This period is critical as a preparation time for the cows’ next lactation.

In modern dairy systems there are times when a one group dry cow ration is more practical and can work very well with careful rationing by an experienced nutritionist. A one-group system can mean fewer group and ration changes and therefore less stress on the cow.

Where milk fever is a particular issue or there are a lot of “senior” cows, it is worth reviewing the whole dry period. From time-to-time forage mineral status, cow genetics and body condition score can contribute towards issues at calving. We often express these issues as milk fever or hypocalcaemia but is “downer cow” a more accurate description? Sometimes these cows respond better to phosphorus, or we find their appetite has been compromised causing energy requirements to not be met, all resulting in similar symptoms. It’s important to make sure to investigate any issue thoroughly to establish the root cause and prevent these issues reoccurring.

Rumen fill outlined by the red triangle – this cow has had a good meal and has a full rumen. This is a quick way to assess whether your cows are eating enough.

Environment

Moving the close-up dry cow into a straw or sand bedded yard allows her to remain comfortable in late pregnancy. There is also the added advantage that she is in a prepared area which makes observing her as she approaches calving much easier. Modern day technology plays its part in some cases with rumination collars or rumination boluses and cameras helping us monitor the cows as she approaches calving.

Reducing cow stress throughout the dry period is obviously important and yet it is often a time where the cow is moved into different social groups and accommodation. The “revolving door” in the dry cow accommodation can be unavoidable, but it is important to be aware this causes stress which can lead to a poorer transition.

Consider feed space and lying room. Feed space should be 0.75m/cow and lying space can be calculated by using 1.25m2 per 1000L of milk/cow (using your herd’s average annual milk yield) e.g. a 10,000L cow will require 12.5m2 lying space.

How accessible and clean is the drinking water? Could it be better? Even though dry cows have lower water requirements than milking cows, they still need 40-80L per day, depending on their size, dry matter intake and environmental temperature.

Is “rumen fill” an issue? It’s really important to make sure dry cows have good quality feed in front of them at all times alongside the plenty of feed space. If they don’t, this can cause metabolic issues and a poor start to lactation.

Dry cows should always have plenty of good quality feed in front of them. They should never be left without feed.

Dry cow feeding

Far-off period (drying off to 3 weeks pre calving)

Access to low potassium forages such as mature grass silage or wholecrop cereals is very important along with 3-4kg of clean barley straw + a good high quality dry cow mineral such as Grampian Pre Calver 1000 or Grampian Elite Dry Cow.

This is the time that the cow gets to repair body tissue and prepare for the next high yielding lactation. Organic Selenium and vitamin E are essential anti oxidants which work hand in hand to improve the cows’ immune system.

Close-up period (3 weeks pre calving to calving)

This is when we try to start activating the cows’ rumen bugs again and get her rumen ready to cope with the feeds that go into a lactation ration.

Grass silage from the lactating cows ration should be analysed for nutrients and minerals before including in the dry cow ration. Grass silage is not always the appropriate forage for these animals. Wholecrop cereal and/or maize silage are good forages for inclusion in a dry cow ration alongside 2-3 kg of concentrate incorporating high quality starch, sugars and proteins. Starch levels are important to review – there shouldn’t be more than 10 percentage points difference in the starch levels between the dry cow ration and the lactating cow ration. This enables an easier transition to the lactating cow ration and means the cows get going quicker with fewer issues.

The concentrate can come from blends, straights or, if more practical, a high-quality dry cow compound such as our new semi-DCAB Dry Cow Prestige Nuts or our well-established Dry Cow Booster Meal can be fed.

Both products are fully mineralised, provide optimal levels of vitamins and contain nutritional benefits, such as high levels of quality protein to drive colostrum quality and quantity and tissue repair.

Rumitech improves feed efficiency, Evo plant extracts and Yea-Sacc yeast drives appetite. Zn-Tek (multiple bioavailable zinc sources), vitamin E and organic selenium assist in tissue repair and cow health and immunity.

The first few hours

The first few hours following calving are very important to your cow. The stresses and strains of calving have taken their toll, and her body is starting the process of recovery and milk production is increasing. Like any animal after lots of activity and metabolic stress, rehydrating the body and offering palatable clean feed is important to allow this recovery.

Giving the newly calved cow a rehydration drink immediately after calving has been shown to have huge benefits on our customers’ dairy farms. These products re-hydrate and supply energy, essential salts and calcium in a readily available form. Improving the very early lactating cow’s appetite and reducing metabolic issues in these first few days are of huge benefit to her right through her forthcoming lactation.

Dry Cow Prestige Nuts

High-spec, fully mineralised semi-DCAB dry cow nut to support cows through the dry period and calving. 

• 24% protein from quality ingredients 

• Supports rumen health and fibre digestion (RumiTech + Yea-Sacc) 

• Helps reduce milk fever risk (anionic salts) 

• Helps drive intakes and reduce stress (Evo plant extracts) 

• Supports immunity and cell protection (Sel-Plex + vitamins) 

Feed rate: 3kg/head/day