Knowledgebase
Kingshay's Knowledgebase - Dry Cows
![Body Condition Score](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/Condition-scoring-1.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is a simple and effective farm management tool. It is a measure of body fat/energy reserves, that can be used to aid decisions or troubleshoo...
![Dry Cow Feeding Farming Note](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/Dry-Cow-141006.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Dry cow feeding and management is central to any successful dairy business, however there is a tendency to put dry cows out in a field for the early dry period and leave ...
![Dry Period Length](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/fresh-cow-protocols.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
The optimal dry period length between lactations in dairy cows has been debated for many years. Traditionally, an 8-week dry period was considered the ideal duration - ba...
![Effective Farm Lighting](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/P3030438.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Lighting on a dairy farm is important for animal health and production, but can be a significant cost. This Farming Note addresses: Optimum lighting levels and hours ...
![Milk Fever](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/Picture1-13.png&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Milk fever (or hypocalcaemia) is a potentially fatal metabolic disorder where dairy cows experience calcium (Ca) deficiency. With the estimated economic cost per case bet...
![Reducing Mastitis in the Dry Period Farming Note](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/selecting-a-teat-dip.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Each new case of mastitis costs around £276. Many of these cases appear in early lactation, with up to 50% attributed to management in the dry period. Subclinical mastit...
![Reducing Mastitis Pressure in Buildings](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/Preventing-Environmental-Mastitis.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
Environmental mastitis pathogens are naturally present in the housed environment, but problems occur when the pathogen pressure becomes too high. This Farming Note cov...
![Selective Dry Cow Management](https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/plugins/kingshay/kingshay-image.php?src=https://www.kingshay.com/wp-content/uploads/BFCowFace.jpg&w=103&h=103&zc=1&a=c&q=100)
The typical method for preventing new infections and treatment of intra-mammary infections during the dry period has historically been the blanket use of Dry Cow Therapy....