Why do we use Dry Cow Therapy?

Dry cow therapy is used as a mastitis control strategy that includes the use of intramammary antibiotics at the end of lactation to aid in the cure of existing subclinical infections. It should be noted that any good dry cow therapy programme includes the use of an internal teat sealant as a preventative as well.

During the dry-off period, cows require extra energy to support maintenance (especially during colder months) and BCS gain during pregnancy. Drying cows off for a period will ensure all cows achieve the recommended BCS targets pre-calving and have the best possible start to their lactation.

Dry cow antibiotics can only be authorised following a milk quality consultation with your vet. It is handy to collect herd test data and culture results (if available) prior to the catch up to assess the herd level risk of mastitis. Vets must be able to justify an individual animal’s treatment plan to support the need for using dry cow antibiotics.

Planning for dry off early can significantly impact how the new season will begin for your milking herd. We want to ensure you and your farm team have a smooth and efficient dry off process as it can be a daunting prospect, especially if you are changing the way you plan to dry off your herd or are working with staff that haven’t been through the process before. RVC vets and techs can assist with drying off large mobs or offer training for farm teams to safeguard both cows and the team for the next season, promoting efficiency and animal well-being. An effective and successful drying off is the best way to ensure that mastitis during calving stays at a low, manageable level.

Here is a practical and helpful checklist to consider in the coming weeks as we prepare for Dry Cow treatments and administration:

• Arrange with your vet an RVM/Milk quality consult and plan to order teat seal and dry cow products (At least 1 week before your dry-off date if not many more).

• End of year herd test or culture: to give you the best idea of which cows require which treatment. A herd test within 60 days of drying off is necessary to give you the correct information to make an accurate drying off plan.

• Mineral status for overwintering: Be it livers or bloods, it is best to figure out and give them what they need before winter, to give them the best chance at a great start next season.

• Arrange with Kellie to complete a whole herd pre-dry off BCS. Individual scoring is far superior to mob scoring, as we can then determine which cows need longer to obtain our BCS targets pre-calving.

• Have a sit down with your team to ensure everyone understands the process of correct administration of intramammary dry cow antibiotic and internal teat sealant. If you are wanting our tech team to assist with drying off or you would like a vet to give advice and training to your team for drying off, now is the time to book this in.

• Plan to walk cows back to a clean, dry paddock, and walk them slowly. This reduces the risk of loss of product from the teat on treated cows before the teat ends have closed. Avoid having cows walk long distances and especially prevent them from running! There is nothing worse than watching your money in the form of dry cow therapy being sprayed around the lanes as the cows take off.

• Keeping cows on farm (no trucking) for at least 48 hours post dry off to avoid treatment leaking from teats.

• Post treatment, cows should be checked at least daily for any signs of mastitis infections.

• Many hands make light work! It is always helpful to have plenty of staff available (if possible) to assist on the day of dry off to help things run smoothly