AIM The objective of this study was to optimize dry period (DP) length that can maximize the production across adjacent lactations and overall lifetime yield. MATERIALS AND METHODS Performance records with respect to DP spread over a period of 15-year in Karan Fries (KF) cattle maintained at Livestock Research Centre (National Dairy Research Institute), were collected for the study. Data of 6...

Despite significant progress in the control of contagious pathogens, environmental mastitis continues to be a major cause of financial loss to the UK dairy industry. This paper presents some findings from a field study designed to investigate the incidence and significance of coliform infections acquired during the non-lactating period. The bacteriological status of two quarters from each of 62...

Introduction: Health management of ewes during the dry-period is important for optimum production in sheep flocks. Health management during that period should ensure that, at lambing, ewes produce large, viable lamb(s) and have milk production adequate to ensure survival of lamb(s) until weaning. This papers presents the principles of health management of ewes during the dry-period. Some differ...

Mammary secretions (n = 34 cows) and mammary phagocytes (n = 18 cows) were collected throughout the nonlactating (dry) period to determine changes in intramammary phagocytic defense mechanisms. Mammary secretions were evaluated for their ability to support phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by neutrophils from donor cows and mammary phagocytes for phagocytic and chemiluminescence activity. A...

Cows will typically experience a 30 to 35% reduction in feed intake during the final two to three weeks prior to calving. Blood fatty acids at calving are negatively related to feed intake and positively related to incidence of postpartum metabolic disorders. Feed and manage cows to maximize feed intake during the transition period. Over conditioned cows are likely to have poor appetites, but d...

Take Home Message  Use of intramammary antimicrobial dry cow treatment (DCT) is fundamental for effective mastitis control but even with the use of DCT, about 2530% of cows may have quarters that maintain chronic intramammary infections across the dry period  Quarters with chronic intramammary infections have 4 times increased risk of having clinical mastitis in the current lactation as compa...