Let’s face it, transition cows, or those cows facing the time period just before, during, and after calving, benefit from extra attention and care. It’s with that notion that immunity specialist Barry Bradford from Kansas State University developed a list of top five strategies to help these special cows.

1. Manage body condition. “It’s the best proven way to minimize risk of transition cow disorders,” Bradford told those attending the 13th Western Dairy Management Conference in Reno, Nev. He noted that overconditioned and underconditioned cows face more transition disorders.

2. Housing. “It’s the second best way to reduce poor immune function,” said Bradford. “By providing enough stall space and limiting overcrowding, dairy farmers can reduce stress caused from heat and stress incurred when submissive cows encounter dominant cows.”

3. Antioxidants. “We know that compounds such as vitamin E and selenium stimulate immune function. And a healthy immune system helps transition cows thwart disease,” said Bradford.

4. Anionic diets. “To reduce milk fever and improve transition cow health, anionic diets fed prior to calving improve immunity,” he said.

5. Tweak immunity. “Admittedly this is a growing field,” said Bradford. “There are naturally occurring compounds that, when fed to cows, could improve immune function. That is a focus of ongoing research.”