Here are seven key ways to dry-off well and manage cows through the critical weeks that follow:
1. Protect the purpose of the dry period
Drying off is essential for cow health. It allows udder tissue to rest and repair, and also helps clear sub-clinical infections from the previous lactation. Aim for a 60-day dry period where possible – less than 40 days can reduce production next season.
2. Plan to reduce mastitis risk
Milk production doesn’t stop immediately after the last milking. During early dry-off, udders can engorge and stress levels can rise, increasing infection risk. Good planning reduces stress, improves outcomes and makes the process easier on staff.
3. Use data to dry-off the right cows first
Dry-off decisions should be made cow by cow. Production data helps identify low and high producers and manage them differently.
Cows producing under 5 litres/day should be dried-off promptly, as they’re already shutting down and may miss out on dry period protection if delayed.
4. Manage feed to manage milk
Drying off low producers early can free up feed for higher producers to milk on longer. Before drying off higher producers, reduce feed to maintenance in the week prior. This should bring production into the 5-12 litres/day range, lowering dry period mastitis risk.
5. Work back from calving dates
Calving dates should drive dry-off timing. This may mean splitting mobs and drying off in stages, but it ensures cows get the dry time they need to perform next season.
6. Get the day one details right
Drying off well requires focus:
- Have enough trained staff to complete the job quickly
- Follow strict hygiene practices
- Keep freshly dried-off cows on clean pasture for at least a week
- If conditions are wet or dirty, consider delaying dry-off briefly.
7. Lean on vet and milk quality support
Every cow needs protection over the dry period. With tighter guidelines around antibiotic use, decisions may need to be more targeted this season. Your vet can help tailor the right approach, and Farm Source’s free Milk Quality Improvement Visits can support dry-off decisions.
A good dry-off isn’t the end of the season – it’s an investment in the next one.
Talk to your vet or Milk Quality Manager for more information.
