AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Luciano Caixeta, associate professor of dairy production medicine at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Jen Roberts, senior professional services veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim. 

This episode of Have You Herd is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Most producers focus on lactation for milk yield and udder health. But as veterinarians, we know that many of the most critical decisions happen around dry-off. This episode will explore dry cow strategies and what veterinarians can do to help clients drive better outcomes during the dry period.

We should approach the dry period as the beginning of lactation, not the end of lactation, to set cows up for a successful milk production period. Dry-off is a critical window for mastitis prevention and use of internal teat sealants and coliform mastitis vaccination are important tools that should be considered by the veterinarian. Veterinarians should also discuss with clients how to prepare for drying off high-producing cows and why it is important to address them proactively. Bovikalc Dry ® is an acidogenic bolus given to cows at dry off to decrease milk production and udder engorgement. It works by causing a transient decrease in dry matter intake and a decrease in glucose transport to the udder which leads to a decrease in milk production. 

The veterinarian of record is also an important resource for developing and monitoring protocols. Monitoring dry-off protocols and conducting audits of the dry-off procedures and dry pen are important services that veterinarians can provide to clients. Ensuring that protocol drift is not occurring, dry pens are clean and not overstocked, ventilation and cow cooling are appropriate, and access to feed and water is adequate are important areas to audit to ensure a successful dry cow program. 

For more information about mastitis prevention programs from Boehringer Ingelheim, visit this website. A summary of the Bovikalc Dry product can be found here. 

Publications on Bovikalc Dry:

Randomized clinical trial evaluating the effects of administering acidogenic boluses at dry-off on udder health, milk yield, and herd removal

J Dairy Sci

https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23757

A randomized clinical trial evaluating the effects of administration of acidogenic boluses at dry-off on rumination and activity behavior in the 14 subsequent days

J Dairy Sci Comm

https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2022-0366