dry cows

Managing the transition cow with foot health in mind is important in reducing lesions and lameness in the next lactation

Studies have shown that heat stress during the dry period can not only affect productivity in the following lactation, but also the productivity of daughters and granddaughters

Frequent footbathing of dry cows combined with preventive foot trimming is enabling digital dermatitis incidence to be maintained at the 2% level at Marcross Farm in the Vale of Glamorgan

The disease mainly affects cows in the very early postpartum period, with older and high-yielding cows at greater risk

Research has shown heat stress at any point during the dry period can affect the lifetime performance and productivity of the developing foetus