A study of 250 cows located in Canada
and the United States revealed the rate of
new mammary infections was 9.9% during
the dry period. Average milk production on
the day prior to dry-off was 13.2 ± 7.2 kg.
The odds of a cow developing a new infection
was three times greater if the cow was
producing more than 5 kg of milk. After 6
weeks of the dry period, 25% of the teats still
remained open. This research will serve as
the foundation to investigate and implement
management strategies prior to dry-off that
might improve the overall udder health of
dairy cows.
