Robert Hovey Udall Assistant Professor Cornell University Ithaca, New York, United States
Disclosure(s):
Matthias Wieland, DVM, PhD, Dip. ECBHM: No financial relationships to disclose
High milk yield at dry-off poses increasing welfare and health challenges for dairy cows, yet the standard practice of abrupt cessation of milking has changed little over the past decades. This presentation will review the physiological basis of mammary involution, the risks associated with high production at dry-off, and the impact of milk cessation strategies on pain, udder health, and infection dynamics. Evidence from recent studies examining gradual cessation approaches such as reduced milking intensity and dietary manipulation will be discussed in the context of cow comfort, metabolic adaptation, and mammary defense. The session will highlight emerging data from ongoing research that aim to provide evidence-based guidance for improving dry-off management in high-producing herds.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the physiological and management challenges associated with abrupt dry-off in modern high-yielding dairy cows, including udder engorgement, milk leakage, and increased mastitis risk.
Evaluate the scientific rationale and evidence supporting gradual cessation strategies such as incomplete milking and dietary restriction as potential tools to improve welfare and udder health.
Discuss current knowledge gaps and ongoing research aimed at refining dry-off protocols to balance animal well-being, udder health, and metabolic stability in commercial herds.
