Focus on dry cow comfort helps dairy to set cows up for successful lactation

BEALETON, Va. — Cow comfort, especially in the dry period, is the most important part of mastitis management, said Ben Smith, owner of Cool Lawn Farm.

“Antibiotics and treatments can help, but I don’t think any of it matters if you don’t make cow comfort a priority,” he said.

This philosophy has proven successful for the farm. Focusing on dry cow comfort has helped reduce transition issues and lower somatic cell count in the 900-cow registered Holstein herd in Virginia.

It All Starts At Dry-Off

Smith’s dry-off protocols set cows up for a healthy, comfortable dry period and successful next lactation. Cows are treated with dry cow tubes to address any existing infections, and a teat sealant is used to help prevent new infections.

Hooves and tail switches are trimmed before cows are moved to their off-site facilities until two weeks before calving.

Cool Lawn Farm also gives Bovikalc Dry acidogenic boluses to high-producing cows at dry-off to decrease milk production and udder engorgement.

“Cows that are dried off while giving large amounts of milk can experience serious discomfort,” said Linda Tikofsky, senior associate director of dairy professional veterinary services for Boehringer Ingelheim.

“They’re going to vocalize more and may be less likely to lie down. They’re also more likely to leak milk and be at higher risk for mastitis.”

Research has shown that acidogenic boluses can maintain comfort at dry-off, as well as reduce SCC and the risk of clinical mastitis in the cow’s next lactation.

Built For Comfort

Cow comfort is also a priority for Smith when it comes to facilities. After purchasing the farm from his parents in 2022, he upgraded the parlor with a new 50-stall rotary and is in the process of building a new dry cow barn.

“The more comfortable and cool your dry cows and springing heifers are, the better they do in their upcoming lactation,” the dairyman said. “With that in mind, the new barn is going to be like the Taj Mahal for dry cows.”

In Cool Lawn Farm’s current facilities, Smith focuses on providing deep sand-bedded, well-groomed stalls, cooling through fans and sprinklers and adequate bunk space.

These features will be emphasized even more in the new facilities, along with space to provide different diets to close-up dry cows and springing heifers.

Healthier Herd

This investment in the dry period has paid off for Smith when cows enter their next lactation.

By focusing on dry cow comfort and management, Smith and his herdsman have noted fewer transition cow issues, improved milk quality and cows moving out of the fresh pen faster.

“The better you set cows up for a healthy, comfortable dry period, the more success you’ll see in the next lactations,” he said.

Tikofsky also stressed the importance of dry cow comfort for the next lactation.

“There’s been a lot of research in recent years that gives us greater insight into how dry-off impacts the next lactation,” she said. “Researchers and producers are understanding that an investment in dry cows is an investment in their future lactations.”