Dry paddocks? Dry off!

As we approach the end of the milking season, making informed dryoff decisions is crucial for ensuring your cows are in the best condition for calving and next year’s production, especially considering the dry conditions we are all facing. Drying off at the right time can help protect body condition score (BCS), enhance fertility, and set the stage for strong milk production in the upcoming season. Here’s what you need to consider when deciding when to dry off your cows.

Dry paddocks -time to dry off?

Why Timing Your Dryoff Matters

Milking cows too long can have serious consequences. If cows lose too much condition late in lactation, they may struggle to regain it before calving, affecting both fertility and milk production in the following season. Research shows that cows with a low BCS at calving are at greater risk of infectious disease (mastitis/metritis), poor reproductive performance, and lower milk yields.

The goal should be to have your cows at an optimal BCS at calving (typically 5.0 for mature cows and 5.5 for first-time calvers). Drying off at the right time ensures cows have enough opportunity to recover and reach their target condition before the next lactation.

When to Dry Off Cows

When making dryoff decisions, consider both current BCS and calving date: This is where having aged scanning dates and individual BCS data is valuable

• Cows with BCS below target: These cows need an early dryoff to regain condition before calving.

• Cows at or above target BCS: These cows can continue milking longer but still need adequate dry period length (42 days MINIMUM but consider drycow WH as well).

• Later-calving cows: These can generally be milked longer as they have more time to gain weight prior to calving

• Early-calving cows: These need a longer dry period to recover and prepare for the next lactation.

A cow BCS 4.0 or below who is due to calve on the 15th of July needs to be dried off by the start of April at the latest, however a cow that is BCS 4.5 due to calve on the 15th Sept could be milked through to July.

A strategic approach ensures that cows have sufficient time to gain weight, rest, and prepare for a successful next season.

How We Can Help

Every herd is different, and making these dryoff decisions can be challenging. That’s where we come in. Our team can assist by:

• Body condition scoring (BCS) your herd, either as a group average or individually.

• Providing data-driven recommendations on when to dry off specific cows, based on individual body condition scores and aged scanning dates.

• Helping implement a dryoff plan that optimizes next season’s production and fertility.

• Assisting with feed budgeting so that you have the confidence to get through early lactation and not running out of feed

Call if you would like us to BCS your herd and provide advice around appropriate dryoff dates