What is Drying Off?
Drying off is a key management practice on a grass-based, spring-calving dairy farm, occurring in late autumn or early winter. It marks the end of the milking period for each cow and begins a crucial rest and recovery phase before the next calving season. Here’s what happens:
The Drying Off Process
Drying off usually happens about 60 days before a cow’s expected calving date. The main goals are to:
• Allow the cow’s udder tissue to repair and regenerate.
• Support the development of the unborn calf.
• Set the cow up for a healthy, productive lactation in the following spring.
Drying off may occur more than 60 days before calving if a cow has experienced any health challenges during her lactation – this enables her to have a longer rest period.
On a spring calving farm, most cows are dried off around the same time, leading to a dry period over winter and no milking until calving resumes.
Before drying off:
• Milk yield is monitored — cows producing less than about 12–15 litres per day are typically ready.
• Body condition is assessed to ensure cows aren’t too thin or too fat heading into the dry period.
• Health checks are done, including screening for mastitis and deciding on appropriate treatment protocols (like selective or blanket dry cow therapy).
On the chosen day, cows are milked for the last time.
• Teat disinfection is done to reduce infection risk.
• Dry cow treatments are administered. This may include:
• Antibiotic dry cow therapy (if needed) to treat or prevent mastitis.
• Internal teat sealants to physically block bacteria from entering the udder.
• Cows are then moved to a separate dry cow group, away from the milking herd.
During the dry period (about 6–8 weeks):
• Cows are typically fed on lower-quality grass or silage, suited to maintenance rather than production.
• They receive minerals and supplements tailored to support calf growth and prevent metabolic issues like milk fever.
• Cows are monitored regularly, but overall workload decreases significantly, giving farmers and staff a bit of a breather.
As calving nears:
• Cows may be moved closer to the calving area or monitored more frequently.
• Their diet is adjusted to support the energy demands of calving and milk production.
• Final preparations for the next lactation are made — setting the stage for a fresh start come spring.
In Summary
In summary, drying off is a carefully managed break in the dairy cycle that helps cows rest, recover, and prepare for the demands of calving and lactation. On a spring-calving, grass-based farm, it’s all timed to align with nature — resting during winter and ramping up just as the grass begins to grow.