Well-managed drying-off is the key to udder health and milk quality in the next lactation

Key Messages

• All cows need an effective dry period to maximise milk production in their next lactation
• To set up for the next lactation, existing mastitis infections are cured in the dry period and cows are protected from new infections
• Cows need to stop making milk, form a seal in the teat canal at drying-off, and heal existing udder infections
• Managing drying-off and a choosing an appropriate Dry Cow Treatment strategy are the keys to success and should be discussed with your vet
• Activities important at drying-off are in the Countdown Downunder Farm Guidelines for Mastitis Control
• Good decisions maximise the benefits you get from the dry period

Grabs for your newsletter

• The Golden Rules of drying-off

• Which is the best Dry Cow Treatment strategy for your herd?

• Planning to maximise udder health for the new lactation

• The rewards of being scrupulous with Dry Cow Treatment 

• Avoiding antibiotic residue in vat milk

The grabs are also available in an MS Word file - without the images

Relevant resources for advisers

Australian Dairyfarmer

The importance of these 3 steps at drying-off (eg using notes in the FSC Trainer’s Guide), and an alert to the risk of antibiotic residues 

Pointers to advisers

Availability of a kit for advisers to use eg discussion groups

Helping farmers get value from the Farm Guidelines

Encouraging advisers to support farmers in making decisions about their Dry Cow Strategy (choice of antibiotic, options for dealing with high producing cows etc)