This guide describes the main events that take place during the dry period, both in the udder and in the cow, and shows how they can influence the subsequent lactation period. The book also provides basic guidelines for a proper drying-off technique and management of cows during this period in order to reduce the prevalence of intramammary infections and achieve optimal milk production.
This guide describes the main events that take place during the dry period, both in the udder and in the cow, and shows how they can influence the subsequent lactation period. The book also provides basic guidelines for a proper drying-off technique and management of cows during this period in order to reduce the prevalence of intramammary infections and achieve optimal milk production.
Luis Miguel Jiménez Galán
He graduated in veterinary medicine from the Complutense University of Madrid in 1992. He is the technical manager of SERVET TALAVERA S.L., a company specialised in mastitis and milk quality control and dedicated to developing and implementing integrated mastitis and milk quality control programmes since 1994, taking into account all the factors that may affect milk quality.
He also works as a consultant for veterinary practitioners specialised in milk quality and the control of mastitis in Spain and other countries such as the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, etc. He organises annual seminars on dairy cattle in Talavera de la Reina, with a special emphasis on milk quality.
Table of contents:
1. Introduction
The importance of the dry period
Udder health
Strategies
Financial impact
2. Udder physiology during the dry period
Mammary involution
Active involution phase
Steady state phase
Colostrum production phase
Immunity in the mammary gland
Active involution phase
Steady state phase
Colostrum production phase
3. Risk of intramammary infections
Factors affecting susceptibility
Udder quarter-related factors
Cow-related factors
Herd-related factors
4. Welfare of the dairy cow
Welfare of the dairy cow
Consequences of drying-off
Stress caused by pain
Stress caused by nutritional changes
Stress caused by heat
5. Strategies to prevent new infections
Drying-off methods
Advantages and disadvantages of drying-off methods
Dry cow therapy
Intramammary therapy
Systemic therapy
Blanket therapy
Selective dry cow therapy
Teat protection
Internal sealants
External sealants
Nutritional management
Effect of reduced dry matter intake
Immune system support
Environmental control
Pasture
Cubicle housing
Straw yard housing
Compost bedded pack barns
Precalving milking
Epidemiological control during the dry period
6. References
Data sheet
Specific References
This guide describes the main events that take place during the dry period, both in the udder and in the cow, and shows how they can influence the subsequent lactation period. The book also provides basic guidelines for a proper drying-off technique and management of cows during this period in order to reduce the prevalence of intramammary infections and achieve optimal milk production.
