Dry Cow Treatment is used both to cure existing mastitis infections and to help protect cows from picking up new infections over the dry period.

The key to making good gains in mastitis control in the new lactation is to plan the drying-off tasks well ahead of time. You need a strategy and you need to carry it out well.

Step 1 – Decide when to dry-off

Ideally, dry-off should be 2 months before calving to give time for the udder tissue to repair and rejuvenate in preparation for the next lactation. Eight weeks are preferable, but a minimum of 6 weeks dry period is needed if cows are to reach their production potential in the following lactation.

Step 2 – Buy Dry Cow Treatment from your vet  

Talk with your veterinarian about which cows to treat and what product to use when considering the most appropriate Dry Cow Treatment strategy for your herd. To avoid delays due to stock shortages, buy the required number of intramammary tubes well ahead of the drying-off start date. It’s important to store them in a cool, clean place as specified on the label.

At the same time, buy the other supplies needed to swab and sanitise the teats so that they are on hand when you need them.

Step 3 – Check for low-producing cows in late lactation

Cows producing 5 litres a day have already started to dry themselves off. The quality of their milk will be significantly reduced, and they will have begun to shut down areas of their udder tissue.  This limits the distribution and impact of Dry Cow Treatment antibiotic, so in these cases, it is important to act quickly.

Step 4 – Check for high-producing cows 1 week before drying-off

At least one week before the drying-off date, check whether any cows are producing more than 12 litres of milk. These cows need specific management to ensure them the minimum 6-week break from lactating.

Reducing the milk yields of high-producing cows is an inexact science. Useful tips are:

• Stop feeding concentrates one week before the final milking date.

• Reduce feed to the maintenance level required by cows in the late stages of pregnancy 3 days before the final milking date.

• Change the daily routine – maybe something as simple as bringing the cows into the milking area though a different entry for a few days before drying-off will do the trick.

Whatever action(s) you choose from the list above, it is VERY IMPORTANT to maintain water supply. Not only does this comply with the codes for animal welfare, but it prevents stresses due to lack of water which may trigger other problems e.g. salmonellosis.

Step 5 – Train staff to use Dry Cow Treatment

For it to work, Dry Cow Treatment must be properly applied. If the teat end is not properly disinfected or if bacteria enter the teat canal before it has sealed, bacteria can easily enter the teat during Dry Cow Treatment.  The correct way to give intramammary treatments is described on page 91 of the Countdown Downunder Farm Guidelines for Mastitis Control, and is a good starting point for training staff.

Following these 5 steps will improve udder health in the herd and prepare for the next lactation.

Image and caption
“Buy Dry Cow Treatment from you vet a few weeks before drying-off”

“Have swabs, alcohol and stock mark on hand at drying-off”

Countdown Downunder Farm Guideline or Technote
Farm Guideline 14.1, 14.6, 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 17.1, Fact Sheet B

Keywords
drying-off, management, milk production, planning

Word length
556