DRYING OFF SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES CLINICAL MASTITIS AND SOMATIC CELL COUNTS.

• Optimum dry period is 50-70 days

PREPARATION

• Cows must be fit, not fat – ideal condition score = 3
• Consider reducing high yielders of >20 litres/day by lowering the plane of nutrition one week before drying off

AT DRYING OFF

• Compare cow’s lactation with herd mates
• Trim overgrown claws
• Plan other control measures, e.g. vaccinations
  and fly control

WHICH THERAPY?

• Some dry cow therapies are active for different
  lengths of time and work against different bacteria.
• Check which bacteria are present by regularly taking milk samples from high cell count cows and clinical cases
• Always ask your veterinary surgeon for advice
  

ADMINISTERING DRY COW THERAPY

Antibiotic therapy cures major pathogen infection and prevents new infections during the dry period.

Follow the therapy carefully for all cows.