By Jamie Martin
Dry-off practices on modern dairies face new challenges, as cows enter this period at higher production levels, increasing the need for careful management of comfort and mastitis risk.
“It’s time to ask ourselves, ‘What can we do better at dry-off?’” said Linda Tikofsky, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “We’re more attuned to animal well-being today, and that’s reshaping our approach.”
Based on her work with dairies across the U.S., Dr. Tikofsky highlights four strategies behind successful dry-off protocols:
Prioritizing cow comfort
Cows producing high milk volumes during dry-off often face discomfort, increased vocalization, and lying reluctance. Tikofsky noted, “Cows dried off while giving large amounts of milk may experience serious discomfort.”
At Cool Lawn Farm, Ben Smith explained, “Cow comfort is the most important part of dry-off. Antibiotics and treatments can help, but I don’t think any of it matters if you don’t make cow comfort a priority.”
Collaborative decision-making
Farms now involve teams of experts, including veterinarians, nutritionists, and feeding staff. Tikofsky said, “The farms I see doing the best job are collaborating with their veterinarian to review records, monitor disease incidences and tweak dry-off protocols.”
Jim Trustem of Larson Acres added, “We select products if they are recommended by our veterinarian. We go to our vet for the final answer and ask, ‘Is this worth doing?’ and our vet says, ‘Yes.’”
Tracking performance metrics
Dry-off success is measured, not assumed. Mastitis rates, SCC, rumination, and lying behavior are key indicators. Tikofsky suggested, “Start by looking at your data to see where you are now and where you want to go.” Corinne Banker of Blue Hill Farm noted that data from ear tags, combined with BOVIKALC DRY boluses, helped improve cow comfort and dry-off outcomes.
Continuous improvement mindset
Modern dairies embrace innovation to address evolving challenges. Trustem explained, “We tried changing their diet, but we thought there might be a better option out there.” The adoption of acidogenic boluses alongside collaborative protocols demonstrates the commitment to ongoing herd performance improvements.
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Categories: National