Dry Cows

This is the rest period for the cow. Too often dry cows are ignored and are poorly fed at this time. However, this period can have a major influence on the success of the next lactation.

The target dry cow period for first lactation animals is 9 to 10 weeks, while that for mature cows is 8 weeks. The early dry period (from drying off to week 3 prepartum) is called the far-off period. The close-up period is from 3 weeks precalving to calving. The close-up period and the first month of lactation is called the transition period.

Major upheavels occur in the cow in the latter stages of pregnancy and hence appropiate managment and nutrition is essential to ensure a successful outcome.

For more information see

http://www.vet.ed.ac.uk/dhhps/documents/Drycowdietsandstraw.pdf

http://www.vet.ed.ac.uk/dhhps/documents/ChecklistDryCowstrawversionNEWmk2.pdf