May

Week One

Consider late whole herd PT for foetal loss.

Cows at BCS 4.0 – 4.5 should be dried off now.

Week Two

Cows and heifers to get their booster vaccination for Salmonella.

Week Three

Check trace elements of cows (liver biopsy) esp. if being fed brassicas over winter.

Decide when the herd is to be dried off.

Reduce feed intake for the last week of milking.

Supplement calves with copper & selenium.

Week Four

Decrease to OAD milking if the herd is producing more than 10 litres / cow /day for the last week.

Under no circumstances go to ‘Skip a day’ milking!

Give DCT immediately following the last milking.

Monitor for mastitis post drying off.

Dry off tips:

-Cull chronically infected cows
-Clearly mark treated cows if not all being treated on the same day
-Sanitise teat ends with meths or alcohol swabs prior to treatment
-Insert nozzle of syringe no more than 3mm into the teat canal
-Teat spray after treatment
-Record all treated cows
-Feed at maintenance levels for 7 days post dry off

Dry off – take a well earned break!!