The transition period is defined as the 3 weeks before calving through the 3 weeks after calving. During this time, cows “transition” from a pregnant, non-lactating state to a non-pregnant, lactating state. This event involves many coordinated physiological changes in the cow, and failure of any one of these changes to occur at the right time or in the right magnitude can be devastating. Dairy producers should strive to provide the cow with appropriate environmental conditions that maximize her chances of making the transition to lactation without complication.
The success with which a cow makes the transition to lactation can have dramatic impacts on her performance during the lactation that follows. The prevalence of health disorders is greater during the transition period than at any other time during a cow’s life1. Cows that experience one or more health disorders during the transition period are over 2 times more likely to be culled by 120 days in milk due to poor health, production, or fertility2. These cows are also at greater risk for reduced production for that entire lactation. Thus, when the increased risk for culling, reduced production, and potential veterinary-related expenses are considered, prevalence of health disorders during the transition period can have a substantial and prolonged economic impact. Development of a successful transition program should be of high importance for all dairies because of its implications for profitability and animal welfare.
The old adage “you can’t fix what you don’t measure” can be applied to a wide variety of circumstances and certainly has application when it comes to managing the dairy herd. If consistent monitoring is not practiced, it will be difficult to identify areas where improvements are needed. Whether assessing an existing transition program or developing a new one, there are a few key areas that should be evaluated routinely to help pinpoint where improvements may be needed.
Disease/Condition | Benchmark |
Displaced Abomasum | < 3% |
Ketosis (> 1.2 mmol/L) | < 15% |
Mastitis (SCC > 200,000 cells/mL) | < 10% |
Milk Fever (clinical, showing signs) | < 2% |
Retained Placenta | < 8% |
Table 1. Benchmarks for incidence of various diseases during the transition period.
Time Point | Target Body Condition Score |
Dry-off | 3.25 to 3.5 |
Calving | 3.25 to 3.5 |
30 Days in Milk | No more than half a score lower than score at calving |
Table 2. Ideal body condition scores for dry and early lactation cows at various critical time-points.
While evaluation of the transition program as a whole helps to identify areas where management can be improved, it is still important to monitor individual cows during this time to ensure that prompt and appropriate intervention occurs when it is needed. In addition to the typical daily observations that should occur for all cows on the farm (milk production, presence of mastitis, behavior), rectal temperature and the presence of abnormal discharge from the vulva should also be evaluated daily during the first 10 days after calving to detect early indicators of infection. Temperature should be taken at the same time each day, ideally in the morning to reduce potential influence of outside temperatures. Normal body temperature is between 101 and 103°F.
Routine monitoring of the transition cow is important for keeping cows healthy and productive. This practice also generates data which is useful in evaluating and improving the transition program. Development of a successful transition program should be of high importance for all dairies because of its implications for profitability and animal welfare.
1Goff, J. P., and R.L. Horst. 1997. Physiological changes at parturition and their relationship to metabolic disorders. J. Dairy Sci. 80:1260–1268.
2Probo, M., O.B. Pascottini, S. LeBlanc, G. Opsomer, and M. Hostens. 2018. Association between metabolic diseases and the culling risk of high-yielding dairy cows in a transition management facility using survival and decision tree analysis. J. Dairy Sci. 101: 9419–9429.
3Roche, J. R., N.C. Friggens, J.K. Kay, M.W. Fisher, K.J. Stafford, and D.P. Berry. 2009. Invited review: Body condition score and its association with dairy cow productivity, health, and welfare. J. Dairy Sci. 92:5769–5801.
4Goff, J. P. 2008. The monitoring, prevention, and treatment of milk fever and subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy cows. Veterinary Journal. 176:50–57.
5Oetzal, G.R. 2017. Minimizing postcalving metabolic disorders. In D.K. Beede (Eds.), Large Dairy Herd Management, 3rd Ed (1077-1085). Champaign, IL: American Dairy Science Association.
6Nydam, D.V., T.R. Overton, J.A.A. McArt, M.M. McCarthy, B. Leno, and S. Mann. 2017. Management of transition cows to optimize health and production. In D.K. Beede (Eds.), Large Dairy Herd Management, 3rd Ed (1067-1075). Champaign, IL: American Dairy Science Association.