Achieving an Optimal Outcome at Drying-Off

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1. Reducing Milk Production Before Dry-Off

Lower milk production reduces udder pressure and leakage post-dry off, minimizing mastitis risk.

  • Gradually reduce feed intake to about 150 MJME/day and less than 16% crude protein in the week before dry-off week.

  • For 3 days before and after dry-off, provide a diet of about 90 MJME/day and 12% crude protein.

  • Remove top 10% ISCC cows from supply in the last 3 days before dry-off to avoid BMSCC grades

  • Feed cows straw for 2 days before dry-off to firm up faeces and reduce splatter.

  • In preparation for dry-off, identify and leave some rough residual paddocks (ie. 1700-1800kg DM/ha) to return cows to on the days before and including dry-off, to minimise grass intake and keep the cows environment clean.

2. Avoid giving antibiotic DCT to low volume cows

Low volume cows have a higher risk of causing Inhibitory substance grades the next spring if treated with DCAT.

  • Do not treat cows with DCAT if they were producing <5L a day in the week before dry-off. These cows should receive ITS only.

3. Identifying Cows Unsuitable for Internal Teat Sealant (ITS) Only

Certain cows are at higher risk of losing the sealant or developing mastitis.

  • Avoid ITS-only treatment for older cows (≥4 years) producing more than 15L at last herd test, cows with teat end lesions, poor udder conformation, or recent clinical mastitis. These may be better suited to combination therapy.

4. Keeping Cows Calm on Dry-off Day

Calm cows are easier to handle, reducing stress and contamination risk when inserting DCT.

  • Supplement calcium and magnesium in the week before dry-off (avoid oversupplementing magnesium).

  • Provide plenty of a low energy, high fibre diet to keep cows satiated on dry-off days. Use straw or other high dry matter high fibre feeds

5. Ensuring Clean Teat and Udder Skin

Clean skin reduces the chance of introducing bacteria during dry-off procedures.

  • Trim tails at least a month before dry-off and keep them free of dags.

  • Firm up faeces through diet and avoid muddy grazing conditions.

  • Apply teat spray by hand-wand to every teat at every milking for the last five days before dry-off.

  • Avoid walking cows on mucky laneways on the last day.

6. Correct Teatseal Insertion Technique

Proper placement ensures the sealant stays in place and is effective.

  • Hold off the top of the teat during insertion to trap it at the base of the teat.

  • Do not overheat the product as it may float up into the udder (20°C is optimal).

  • Insert ITS or DCAT soon after cup removal to minimize contamination risk.

7. Reducing Risk of Teatseal Loss After Administration

Loss of sealant increases mastitis risk.

  • Do not let cows run immediately after treatment; walk them slowly to a clean, close paddock.

  • If moving cows to a run-off, do so within 2-24 hours or wait at least 7 days.

  • Continue low energy, low protein feeding for 3 days post dry-off.