# Dairy Cow Transition Cow Nutrition and Feeding Management ## Key Takeaways - The transition period (3 weeks pre-calving to 3 weeks post-calving) is critical for minimizing metabolic stress and maximizing dry matter intake, directly impacting calving ease, colostrum quality, and peak milk production. Subclinical hypocalcemia, affecting up to 50% of cows, is a major risk factor, reducing rumen motility and immune function. - Close-up dry cow rations require specific nutrient profiles: low potassium forages (<1.2% DM), controlled calcium (0.4-1.0% DM), adequate magnesium (0.40-0.45% DM), and an energy density of 0.68-0.74 Mcal NEL/lb DM. A negative DCAD strategy (minus 8 to minus 12 mEq/100g) is essential for reducing milk fever risk by enhancing calcium mobilization. - Dry matter intake targets for close-up cows are 24-28 lbs/day, with a critical threshold below 20 lbs/day indicating potential issues. Feeding management includes fresh feed at least twice daily, 30-34 inches of bunk space per cow, and 24-hour feed availability to prevent slug feeding and maintain rumen health. - Monitoring is paramount: urine pH should be tested on DCAD diets (target 6.0-6.5), and fresh cows require twice-daily checks for 10 days post-calving. Key metrics to track include calving ease, retained placenta, milk fever, ketosis, displaced abomasum, and culling rates to identify and address herd-level problems. --- The transition period, defined as the three weeks before calving through the three weeks after calving, is the most critical window in the lactation cycle of a dairy cow. How you manage nutrition and feeding during this time directly determines calving ease, colostrum quality, milk fever risk, uterine health, and peak milk production. This guide is for dairy farmers, herd managers, and farm employees who want a practical, research-based system for feeding dry cows and fresh cows. You will learn the causes of transition cow disorders, how to build a close-up dry cow ration, how to manage feedbunk behavior, and how to monitor your herd for problems before they become costly emergencies. ## At a Glance | Area | Key Takeaway | |---|---| | Transition period | Three weeks before calving to three weeks after calving | | Primary goal | Minimize metabolic stress and maximize dry matter intake after calving | | Biggest risk | Subclinical hypocalcemia, which affects up to 50% of cows in some herds | | Close-up ration | Low potassium forages, controlled calcium, adequate magnesium, 1.2 to 1.5 Mcal/lb energy density | | DCAD strategy | Negative DCAD diets (minus 8 to minus 12 mEq/100g) reduce milk fever risk | | Dry matter intake | Target 24 to 28 pounds per day in close-up cows, never let intake drop below 20 pounds | | Feeding management | Fresh feed at least twice daily, 30 to 34 inches of bunk space per cow, feed 24 hours a day | | Monitoring | Urine pH 6.0 to 6.5 on DCAD diets, fresh cow checks twice daily for 10 days after calving | | Recordkeeping | Track calving ease, retained placenta, milk fever, ketosis, displaced abomasum, and culling | ## Why the Transition Period Matters So Much The transition period is not just another phase of the production cycle. It is a time of enormous physiological upheaval. The cow goes from being pregnant and dry to lactating and cycling again. Her energy demands double almost overnight when lactation begins. Her calcium demands increase by 400% or more at the start of milking. Her immune system is suppressed. Her rumen must adapt from a high-forage dry cow diet to a high-energy lactating diet. Every one of these changes happens within a span of about six weeks. The consequences of getting this wrong are severe. Cows that are overconditioned or underconditioned at calving have more metabolic disease. Cows that eat poorly before calving eat poorly after calving, and poor intake after calving leads to negative energy balance, ketosis, displaced abomasum, and reduced milk production. Cows with low blood calcium at calving have more retained placentas, more uterine infections, and lower colostrum quality. The effects of transition failure do not end at 30 days in milk. They echo through the entire lactation, reducing peak milk, reducing fertility, and increasing the chance the cow is culled before she reaches 60 days in milk. The economic stakes are substantial. A single case of clinical milk fever costs between $200 and $400 in treatment and lost production. A case of displaced abomasum costs between $300 and $600. Retained placenta costs $200 to $300. Subclinical disease, which you cannot see without testing, costs more in lost milk than clinical disease in many herds. The good news is that most transition cow problems are preventable with disciplined feeding management and ration formulation. ## Understanding the Biology of Transition Cow Disorders To feed transition cows correctly, you need to understand why they get sick. Most transition cow diseases are not random events. They are predictable consequences of nutrition and management failures. This section covers the biology behind the most common disorders. ### Hypocalcemia and Milk Fever Milk fever, also called clinical hypocalcemia, occurs when blood calcium drops below about 5.5 mg/dL. The cow needs massive amounts of calcium to produce colostrum and early milk. A mature cow can secrete 30 to 50 grams of calcium into colostrum in the first 24 hours after calving. Her blood contains only about 3 grams of calcium at any moment. She must mobilize calcium from her bones and absorb it from her diet within hours of calving. If she cannot, she develops milk fever. The cow's calcium regulation system depends on parathyroid hormone. This hormone tells the bones to release calcium and tells the kidneys to conserve calcium. It also activates vitamin D, which helps the gut absorb calcium from the diet. The problem is that this system goes dormant during the dry period when the cow is not lactating. A dry cow on a high calcium diet, especially one with high potassium, has high blood calcium and does not exercise her calcium regulation system. When calving hits and calcium demand explodes, the system is slow to respond. Subclinical hypocalcemia is even more common than clinical milk fever. It occurs when blood calcium drops below 8.0 mg/dL but the cow does not show obvious signs. Subclinical hypocalcemia affects 25% to 50% of cows in many herds. It causes reduced rumen and gut motility, which leads to poor intake and increased risk of displaced abomasum. It reduces immune function, which increases the risk of metritis and mastitis. It reduces uterine muscle contraction, which increases retained placenta and slow calving. ### Negative Energy Balance and Ketosis Dry cows need to maintain body condition, not gain it. But in the last three weeks before calving, the calf is growing rapidly and the udder is developing. The cow's energy requirements increase by 20% to 30%. At the same time, her dry matter intake often drops. The result is that many cows enter a state of negative energy balance before they even calve. After calving, the situation becomes much worse. The cow's energy demand for milk production can exceed her energy intake by 20 to 30 megacalories per day in early lactation. She must mobilize body fat to make up the difference. This fat mobilization releases nonesterified fatty acids into the blood. The liver takes up these fatty acids and either uses them for energy or converts them to ketones. When fat mobilization is too rapid or too extensive, the liver becomes overwhelmed. Ketones build up in the blood. The cow develops clinical or subclinical ketosis. Ketosis reduces milk production, reduces immune function, and increases the risk of displaced abomasum. Cows that are overconditioned at calving, with a body condition score above 3.75 on the 1 to 5 scale, are at much higher risk. They have more body fat to mobilize and their fat cells are less responsive to insulin. They also eat less after calving than thinner cows. ### Displaced Abomasum The abomasum is the cow's true stomach. In a normal cow, it sits on the floor of the abdomen to the right of the midline. When the abomasum fills with gas and floats upward, it can become trapped on the left side or the right side of the abdomen. Left displaced abomasum is the most common form. Displaced abomasum is almost always a secondary disease. It follows hypocalcemia, ketosis, metritis, mastitis, or any condition that reduces gut motility and feed intake. When the cow does not eat, the rumen shrinks. The abomasum, which is full of gas from fermentation, has room to move. It floats up and becomes trapped. Preventing displaced abomasum is really about preventing the conditions that cause it. Maintain feed intake, prevent hypocalcemia, prevent ketosis, and treat metritis and mastitis promptly. ### Retained Placenta and Metritis Retained placenta is defined as failure to expel the fetal membranes within 12 hours after calving. It affects 5% to 10% of cows in normal herds and up to 25% in problem herds. The causes are multifactorial, but nutrition plays a major role. Selenium and vitamin E deficiency increase the risk of retained placenta. Hypocalcemia increases the risk because the uterus needs calcium for muscle contraction. Cows that have difficult calvings, twins, or induced calvings are at higher risk. Obese cows are at higher risk because their immune function is suppressed. Metritis is an infection of the uterus within 21 days after calving. It is more common in cows with retained placenta, dystocia, stillbirth, and hypocalcemia. Metritis reduces feed intake, reduces milk production, and increases the risk of ketosis and displaced abomasum. It also reduces fertility in the subsequent breeding period. ### Mastitis and Immune Function The transition period is a time of high mastitis risk. The cow's immune function is suppressed during the last two weeks before calving and the first two weeks after calving. This suppression is caused by elevated cortisol, negative energy balance, and hypocalcemia. The udder is also under physical stress from edema and the initiation of lactation. Nutrition can support immune function. Adequate vitamin E, selenium, zinc, copper, and manganese are important. Vitamin E and selenium are particularly critical for white blood cell function. Cows that are deficient in these nutrients have higher [somatic cell](/blog/guides/somatic-cell) counts and more clinical mastitis. ## Building the Dry Cow Feeding Program The dry period is typically 60 days long. It is divided into two phases: the far-off dry period and the close-up dry period. The far-off period lasts from drying off until about three weeks before calving. The close-up period is the final three weeks before calving. Each phase has different nutritional goals. ### Far-Off Dry Cow Ration The far-off dry cow ration is designed to maintain body condition, support the growing calf, and prepare the rumen for the close-up diet. The goals are simple: hold body condition steady, provide adequate protein, and keep the cow healthy without overfeeding energy. Forage quality matters in the far-off period, but not in the same way it matters for lactating cows. You want moderate quality forages that the cow will eat consistently. Very high quality forages can cause cows to gain too much condition. Very low quality forages can cause the rumen to fill too slowly and the cow to lose condition. A good target is a forage with neutral detergent fiber around 50% to 55% on a dry matter basis. The far-off ration should contain: | Nutrient | Target | |---|---| | Dry matter intake | 26 to 30 pounds per day | | Energy (NEL) | 0.58 to 0.62 Mcal per pound of dry matter | | Crude protein | 12% to 13% of dry matter | | Calcium | 0.4% to 0.6% of dry matter | | Phosphorus | 0.3% to 0.4% of dry matter | | Potassium | Under 1.5% of dry matter | | Magnesium | 0.35% to 0.40% of dry matter | | Vitamin E | 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day | | Selenium | 3 mg per day | Feed the far-off ration as a total mixed ration if possible. If you feed components, offer free choice hay and a small amount of grain or supplement. The goal is steady intake and no dramatic changes. ### Close-Up Dry Cow Ration The close-up period is the final 21 days before calving. This is where you do the real work of transition cow nutrition. The goals are to maintain dry matter intake, reduce milk fever risk, support the immune system, and prepare the rumen for the lactation diet. The close-up ration should contain: | Nutrient | Target | |---|---| | Dry matter intake | 24 to 28 pounds per day | | Energy (NEL) | 0.68 to 0.74 Mcal per pound of dry matter | | Crude protein | 13% to 14.5% of dry matter | | Calcium | 0.4% to 1.0% of dry matter | | Phosphorus | 0.3% to 0.35% of dry matter | | Potassium | Under 1.2% of dry matter, ideally under 1.0% | | Magnesium | 0.40% to 0.45% of dry matter | | Chlorine | 0.8% to 1.0% of dry matter | | Sulfur | 0.3% to 0.4% of dry matter | | Vitamin E | 2,000 to 3,000 IU per day | | Selenium | 3 to 5 mg per day | The energy density of the close-up ration should be higher than the far-off ration but not as high as the lactation ration. This helps the rumen papillae adapt to the higher energy lactation diet. It also helps the cow maintain body condition without gaining excessive fat. ### The DCAD Strategy Dietary cation anion difference, or DCAD, is the most effective nutritional strategy for preventing milk fever. The concept is simple. Diets high in cations like potassium and sodium make the cow's blood more alkaline. Alkaline blood makes the parathyroid hormone less effective at mobilizing calcium. Diets high in anions like chloride and sulfur make the blood slightly acidic. Acidic blood makes parathyroid hormone more effective. DCAD is calculated as milliequivalents of (sodium plus potassium) minus (chloride plus sulfur) per 100 grams of dietary dry matter. A typical close-up diet has a DCAD of plus 200 to plus 400 mEq per 100 grams. This is too high. You want a negative DCAD of minus 8 to minus 12 mEq per 100 grams. To achieve a negative DCAD, you must do two things. First, minimize potassium in the diet. Potassium is high in alfalfa, grass silage, and many byproduct feeds. Second, add anionic salts to the diet. Common anionic salts include ammonium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and ammonium sulfate. These are unpalatable, so they must be mixed thoroughly into a total mixed ration. When feeding a negative DCAD diet, you must monitor urine pH. The target is 6.0 to 6.5. If urine pH is above 6.5, the diet is not acidic enough and you need more anions. If urine pH is below 6.0, the diet is too acidic and you risk reducing feed intake. Test urine pH on at least 8 to 10 cows per group, and test cows that are 5 to 10 days before their due date. ### Choosing Forages for the Close-Up Diet Forage selection is the foundation of a successful close-up diet. The most important factor is potassium content. High potassium forages make it nearly impossible to achieve a negative DCAD. You need forages with less than 2.5% potassium on a dry matter basis, and ideally less than 2.0%. Corn silage is often the base forage for close-up diets because it is moderate in potassium and high in energy. Grass hay and grass silage are also good choices because they are lower in potassium than alfalfa. If you must feed alfalfa, limit it to 30% or less of the forage dry matter and use low potassium sources. You also need to consider the magnesium content of your forages. Magnesium is critical for calcium metabolism and for preventing grass tetany. Most forages are low in magnesium, so you need to supplement. The target is 0.40% to 0.45% magnesium in the total ration dry matter. Use magnesium oxide or magnesium sulfate as supplements. Magnesium oxide is more palatable but less available than magnesium sulfate. ### Mineral and Vitamin Supplementation Trace minerals and vitamins play a crucial role in transition cow health. The cow's immune system is suppressed during the transition period, and adequate nutrition can help support it. Vitamin E is the most important vitamin for transition cow health. It is a powerful antioxidant that supports white blood cell function. The target is 2,000 to 3,000 IU per day in the close-up period. This is higher than the requirement for lactating cows because the transition cow has a higher oxidative load. Selenium works with vitamin E as an antioxidant. The target is 3 to 5 mg per day in the close-up period. Selenium also plays a role in thyroid function and immune response. In selenium deficient areas, injectable selenium at drying off can help, but it does not replace dietary selenium. Zinc, copper, and manganese are important for immune function, hoof health, and reproduction. The targets for close-up dry cows are approximately 40 to 60 ppm zinc, 10 to 15 ppm copper, and 30 to 40 ppm manganese in the total ration dry matter. These are often supplied as organic trace minerals, which have higher bioavailability than inorganic forms. Biotin at 20 mg per day can support hoof health, which is important because hoof problems often appear in early lactation. Choline, at 15 to 20 grams per day of rumen-protected choline, can support liver function and reduce the risk of fatty liver and ketosis. ## Feeding Management for Transition Cows Ration formulation is only half the battle. How you deliver the ration to the cow matters just as much. Feeding management errors can undo the best ration formulation. This section covers the practical details of feeding transition cows. ### Bunk Space and Cow Comfort Close-up dry cows need at least 30 inches of bunk space per cow. This is more than the 24 inches recommended for lactating cows. The reason is that close-up cows are often subordinate to older cows and need space to eat without being bullied. If you have a group of 20 close-up cows, provide at least 50 feet of bunk space. Cows also need a clean, dry, comfortable place to lie down. The dry cow barn should have deep bedding or well-maintained mattresses. Cows that are uncomfortable spend more time standing and less time eating and resting. Standing time increases the risk of lameness and reduces rumination. ### Feed Delivery and Freshness Close-up cows should have fresh feed available 24 hours a day. Feed at least twice daily, and push up feed at least four times daily. The goal is to keep the bunk never empty and never stale. Cows that go without feed for several hours are more likely to have slug feeding when fresh feed arrives. Slug feeding causes rumen acidosis and reduces intake. The total mixed ration should be mixed thoroughly. Anionic salts are unpalatable and must be evenly distributed through the ration. If some cows get a mouthful of concentrated anionic salts, they will reduce intake. If other cows get none, they will not get the DCAD benefit. Mix the ration for 3 to 5 minutes after the last ingredient is added, and check the ration visually for uniformity. ### Ration Changes and Adaptation The transition from the far-off diet to the close-up diet should be gradual. Do not switch cows from the far-off pen to the close-up pen and change the ration all at once. This causes a drop in intake. Ideally, step cows up to the close-up ration over 5 to 7 days. If you cannot do this, at least provide the close-up ration as a topdress on the far-off ration for several days. The transition from the close-up diet to the lactation diet after calving should also be gradual. Fresh cows should be stepped up to the full lactation ration over 7 to 10 days. Start with a fresh cow ration that is a blend of the close-up and lactation rations. This helps the rumen adapt to the higher energy density and lower fiber content of the lactation diet. ### Water and Mineral Access Clean, fresh water is the most important nutrient and the most overlooked. Close-up cows need 12 to 20 gallons of water per day. Fresh cows need 25 to 40 gallons per day. Water troughs should be cleaned weekly and checked daily for flow rate. In cold weather, provide heated water to encourage intake. In hot weather, provide shade and cool water. Provide free choice salt and trace mineralized salt at all times. Some operations also provide free choice magnesium oxide or a commercial dry cow mineral mix. Free choice minerals are not a substitute for a properly balanced ration, but they can help cows meet their needs when intake varies. ### Grouping Strategies Ideally, close-up cows are housed in a separate group from far-off dry cows. This allows you to feed the close-up ration only to cows that need it. It also allows you to monitor cows more closely for calving signs. The close-up group should be observed at least every 2 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night. Cows should move to the close-up group at exactly 21 days before their expected calving date. If you are unsure of calving dates, use a combination of due dates and udder development, pelvic ligament relaxation, and vulvar swelling to determine when to move cows. Moving cows too early or too late reduces the effectiveness of the close-up diet. Some operations use a special fresh cow group for the first 7 to 21 days after calving. This group is fed a slightly higher energy ration than the close-up group but a lower energy ration than the high group. The fresh cow group allows you to monitor cows closely and treat problems early. It also reduces competition from older, more [dominant](/blog/careers/dominant-definition-biology) cows. ## Monitoring Transition Cow Health You cannot manage what you do not measure. A successful transition cow program includes regular monitoring of cow health, feed intake, and metabolic status. This section covers the key monitoring tools and how to use them. ### Urine pH Monitoring If you feed a negative DCAD diet, you must monitor urine pH. This is the only way to know if the diet is working. Test urine pH on 8 to 10 cows that are within 5 to 10 days of calving. Collect a midstream urine sample or catch urine during spontaneous urination. Use a calibrated pH meter or pH paper designed for urine. The target range is 6.0 to 6.5. If the average is above 6.5, increase the anionic salt content of the diet. If the average is below 6.0, decrease the anionic salt content. Test again after any ration change. Keep a log of urine pH results so you can detect trends over time. ### Blood Calcium and Ketone Testing Subclinical hypocalcemia and subclinical ketosis are silent problems. You cannot see them without testing. Blood calcium testing is not practical on most farms, but urine ketone testing is easy and inexpensive. Test urine ketones on fresh cows at 3 to 7 days after calving. Use a ketone test strip designed for cows or a human urine ketone strip. A reading of trace or small is normal. A reading of moderate or large indicates subclinical ketosis. Cows with moderate or large ketones need treatment and closer monitoring. Some operations also test milk ketones using a milk ketone test strip. This is even easier because you can test at milking time. Milk ketone testing is most useful at 5 to 14 days in milk, when ketosis risk is highest. ### [Body Condition Scoring](/knowledge/animal-farming/farm-management/body-condition-scoring-a-tool-for-feed-management) Body condition scoring is a visual and tactile assessment of the cow's fat cover. The scale is 1 to 5, with 1 being emaciated and 5 being obese. The target body condition score at dry off is 3.0 to 3.25. The target at calving is 3.0 to 3.5. Cows that calve at 3.75 or higher are at much higher risk of ketosis, fatty liver, and displaced abomasum. Score cows at dry off, at 30 days before calving, and at calving. If cows are gaining too much condition during the dry period, reduce the energy density of the dry cow ration. If cows are losing condition, increase energy density or check for health problems. ### Rumen Fill Scoring Rumen fill is a quick way to assess feed intake. The scale is 1 to 5, with 1 being an empty rumen and 5 being a full, bulging rumen. The target for close-up and fresh cows is 3 to 4. A cow with a rumen fill score of 2 or less is not eating enough. Score rumen fill on the same cows you body condition score. Look at the triangle formed by the hook bone, pin bone, and last rib. A cow with a full rumen has a rounded appearance in this area. A cow with an empty rumen has a hollow appearance. ### Manure Scoring Manure consistency tells you about rumen function and fiber digestion. The target is a manure score of 3 on a 1 to 5 scale. Score 1 is watery and runny. Score 5 is hard, dry fecal balls. A score of 3 is a soft patty that forms a pile about 2 inches high and spreads 3 to 4 inches. Manure that is too watery suggests acidosis or too much protein. Manure that is too dry suggests inadequate water intake or too much fiber. Manure with undigested grain or long fiber particles suggests poor rumen function or inadequate feed processing. ### Fresh Cow Checks Every cow should receive a thorough health check within 12 hours after calving and then daily for at least 10 days. The fresh cow check should include: - Temperature, with a target of 101.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit - Appetite and feed intake - Rumen fill score - Udder appearance and milk quality - Vulvar discharge and placental membranes - Appetite for feed and water - Attitude and activity level A cow that is off feed, has a fever, or shows other signs of illness needs immediate attention. Early treatment is more effective and less expensive than waiting for the cow to become severely ill. ## Common Mistakes in Transition Cow Feeding Even experienced dairy farmers make mistakes with transition cow nutrition. This section covers the most common errors and how to avoid them. ### Overfeeding Energy in the Dry Period The most common mistake is feeding dry cows too much energy. Cows that gain excessive condition during the dry period have more problems at calving. They eat less after calving, mobilize more body fat, and have higher ketone levels. They also have more difficult calvings and more retained placentas. The dry cow ration should maintain body condition, not increase it. If cows are gaining more than 0.25 body condition score units during the dry period, reduce the energy density of the ration. Limit corn silage and other high energy forages in the far-off period. ### Ignoring Potassium Levels Potassium is the enemy of the close-up dry cow. High potassium forages make it impossible to achieve a negative DCAD. Many farmers feed alfalfa to dry cows because it is high in protein and calcium. But alfalfa is also very high in potassium, often above 3% of dry matter. Test your forages for potassium before you formulate the close-up ration. If potassium is above 2.5%, use the forage sparingly or find an alternative. Grass forages and corn silage are much lower in potassium than legumes. ### Feeding Anionic Salts Incorrectly Anionic salts only work if they are fed at the right dose and to the right cows. Many farmers feed too little anionic salt to achieve a negative DCAD. Others feed anionic salts to all dry cows, including far-off cows that do not need them. This reduces intake and causes metabolic problems. Feed anionic salts only to close-up cows, and only for the final 21 days before calving. Use urine pH monitoring to adjust the dose. If urine pH is above 6.5, increase the anionic salt. If urine pH is below 6.0, decrease it. ### Neglecting Feed Intake Many farmers focus on ration formulation but ignore actual feed intake. The best ration in the world does no good if the cow does not eat it. Monitor feed intake daily by weighing feed delivered and feed refused. The target refusal rate is 2% to 5% of feed delivered. If refusal is higher, check for ration palatability, bunk space, and cow comfort issues. Close-up cows should eat 24 to 28 pounds of dry matter per day. If intake drops below 20 pounds, investigate the cause. Check for heat stress, overcrowding, fresh feed availability, and health problems. ### Skipping the Fresh Cow Ration Some farmers move cows directly from the close-up ration to the full lactation ration after calving. This is a mistake. The sudden change in energy density and fiber content disrupts the rumen and reduces intake. Cows need a gradual transition over 7 to 10 days. Use a fresh cow ration that is intermediate between the close-up and lactation rations. This ration should have moderate energy density and adequate fiber. Step cows up to the full lactation ration gradually as their intake increases. ### Failing to Monitor and Record [Transition cow management](/knowledge/animal-farming/dairy-cattle/transition-cow-management-key-strategies-for-a-healthy-calving-period) is not a set it and forget it program. You must monitor cows, test urine pH, score body condition, and track health events. Without records, you cannot detect problems early or evaluate the effectiveness of your program. Keep a transition cow log that records calving date, calving ease, retained placenta, milk fever, ketosis, displaced abomasum, metritis, and mastitis. Calculate the incidence of each disorder monthly. Compare your rates to benchmarks. A good target is under 5% clinical milk fever, under 10% retained placenta, under 10% clinical ketosis, and under 5% displaced abomasum. ## When to Call a Veterinarian or Extension Agent You cannot manage every transition cow problem on your own. Some situations require professional help. Call your veterinarian immediately if you see: - A cow that is down and unable to rise within 24 hours after calving - A cow with a fever above 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit - A cow that is off feed for more than 24 hours after calving - A cow with a displaced abomasum or suspected displaced abomasum - A cow with severe mastitis or a swollen, hot udder - A cow with a retained placenta that is systemically ill - A cow with ketosis that does not respond to treatment within 48 hours - A cow with signs of toxic metritis, including foul smelling discharge and fever - A cow that has calved but has not passed her placenta within 24 hours and is ill Your veterinarian can also help with herd level problems. If your herd has more than 10% clinical milk fever, more than 10% retained placenta, more than 10% clinical ketosis, or more than 5% displaced abomasum, you have a transition cow program problem. Your veterinarian or a dairy extension specialist can review your rations, feeding management, and cow environment to identify the cause. A dairy extension agent can help with ration formulation, forage testing, and feeding management. Many universities offer free or low cost forage testing and ration evaluation services. Use these services to verify that your rations meet the targets in this guide. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How long should the close-up dry period be? The close-up period should be exactly 21 days before the expected calving date. This is the period when you feed the negative DCAD diet and the higher energy ration. Feeding the close-up ration for longer than 21 days reduces intake and increases the risk of metabolic disease. Feeding it for less than 21 days does not give the cow enough time to adapt. If you cannot determine calving dates accurately, move cows to the close-up group when they show udder development and pelvic ligament relaxation, which typically occurs 2 to 3 weeks before calving. ### What is the ideal body condition score at calving? The ideal body condition score at calving is 3.0 to 3.5 on the 1 to 5 scale. Cows that calve at 3.75 or higher are at much higher risk of ketosis, fatty liver, and displaced abomasum. Cows that calve at 2.75 or lower have reduced milk production and poorer fertility. If cows are too fat at calving, reduce energy in the dry cow ration and consider a longer dry period. If cows are too thin, increase energy in the dry cow ration and check for underlying health problems. ### How do I know if my DCAD diet is working? The only reliable way to know if your DCAD diet is working is to test urine pH. Collect urine from 8 to 10 cows that are 5 to 10 days before their due date. The target pH is 6.0 to 6.5. If the average pH is above 6.5, the diet is not acidic enough and you need to increase anionic salts. If the average pH is below 6.0, the diet is too acidic and you should decrease anionic salts. You should also see a reduction in clinical milk fever cases within 2 to 3 weeks of starting the diet. ### Can I feed anionic salts to all dry cows? No. Anionic salts should be fed only to close-up cows in the final 21 days before calving. Far-off dry cows do not need a negative DCAD diet and will reduce their feed intake if you feed anionic salts to them. Feeding anionic salts to far-off cows also increases the risk of metabolic acidosis and other health problems. Separate your close-up cows from your far-off cows so you can feed different rations to each group. ### What should I feed a cow immediately after calving? Immediately after calving, offer the cow fresh water and a small amount of the fresh cow ration. Do not offer large amounts of grain or concentrate. The cow's rumen needs time to adapt to the higher energy lactation diet. Start with the fresh cow ration, which is intermediate between the close-up and lactation rations, and step up to the full lactation ration over 7 to 10 days. Offer free choice water and monitor the cow closely for signs of hypocalcemia, ketosis, or other health problems. ### Why is my fresh cow not eating? A fresh cow that is not eating has a problem. Common causes include hypocalcemia, ketosis, metritis, mastitis, displaced abomasum, and heat stress. Check the cow's temperature, rumen fill, manure consistency, and udder health. If the cow has a fever or shows other signs of illness, call your veterinarian. If the cow appears healthy but is not eating, check the ration for palatability issues and ensure the cow has access to fresh feed and water. Sometimes cows that are bullied by older cows will not eat. Provide adequate bunk space and consider moving the cow to a less competitive group. ### How much bunk space do close-up dry cows need? Close-up dry cows need at least 30 inches of bunk space per cow. This is more than the 24 inches recommended for lactating cows. The extra space reduces competition and ensures that subordinate cows can eat. If you have limited bunk space, feed more frequently and push up feed more often to encourage intake. Never overcrowd the close-up group. The ideal group size is 20 to 30 cows so you can monitor each cow closely. ### What is the most important nutrient for preventing milk fever? There is no single nutrient that prevents milk fever. The most important strategy is the negative DCAD diet, which makes the cow's blood slightly acidic and improves her ability to mobilize calcium. Magnesium is also critical because it is required for parathyroid hormone to function. Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption from the gut. A successful milk fever prevention program combines low potassium forages, a negative DCAD diet, adequate magnesium, and adequate vitamin D. Monitor urine pH to confirm the diet is working. ## Related Farming Guides This section will be populated programmatically with links to related farming guides on [dairy cow nutrition](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/food-animal-medicine/dairy-cow-nutrition-diagnostic-approach-metabolic-disorders), dry cow management, fresh cow health, and metabolic disease prevention. Check back for updates. ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Evaluating Feed Additives for Dairy Cow Performance](/knowledge/animal-farming/dairy-cattle/evaluating-feed-additives-for-dairy-cow-performance) * [Dairy Barn Fire Safety: Design and Prevention Measures](/knowledge/animal-farming/dairy-cattle/dairy-barn-fire-safety-design-prevention) * [Dairy Cow Pregnancy Loss Records and Review](/knowledge/animal-farming/dairy-cattle/dairy-cow-pregnancy-loss-records-and-review) ## References - National Mastitis Council: https://www.nmconline.org/ - USDA APHIS Dairy Cattle Health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle - FAO Dairy Production and Products: https://www.fao.org/dairy-production-products/en/ - FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/ > This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.