Danish dairy study weighs up options at drying-off
Cow being milked
Reducing the frequency of milking ahead of drying off could be less stressful for dairy cows, researchers in Denmark have claimed.
The study 'Effects of feeding level, milking frequency, and single injection of cabergoline on blood metabolites, hormones, and minerals around dry-off in dairy cows' was published this week in the Journal of Dairy Science and compared three methods of reducing milk yields ahead of drying off: Reduced feeding; less frequent milkings; and injection with Velactis, a veterinary medicine which can facilitate abrupt drying-off.
