Summary
This randomised controlled trial of 398 Holstein dairy cows evaluated whether a gradual milking cessation protocol (once daily for 7 days before dry-off) reduced udder engorgement, pain, stress indicators, and intramammary infection risk compared to abrupt cessation (three-times-daily milking until dry-off). Cows undergoing abrupt cessation showed numerically higher odds of udder firmness and pain response, though confidence intervals crossed unity, and a greater percentage increase in fecal glucocorticoid metabolites, suggesting partial support for the hypothesis that gradual cessation mitigates stress and discomfort during the lactation transition.
Regional applicability
This study was conducted in the United States on Holstein cattle and is directly transferable to United Kingdom dairy systems, which operate similar intensive milking regimes and breed predominantly Holstein or Holstein-friesian cattle. The findings on welfare and infection risk during dry-off would be relevant to UK dairy farm management practice and animal welfare policy.
Key measures
Udder firmness (assessed 3 d post-dry-off); pain response to udder palpation; percentage change in fecal 11,17-dioxoandrostanes (11,17-DOA) concentration; quarter-level culture results for microbiological cure and new infection; somatic cell count; milk production; culling risk
Outcomes reported
The study compared udder firmness, pain response, fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentration, and intramammary infection risk between cows subjected to gradual (once-daily for 7 days) versus abrupt (three-times-daily until dry-off) cessation of milking. Secondary outcomes included milk production and somatic cell count in the subsequent lactation.
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