Most production diseases occur in the transition period, from three weeks before calving to three weeks post calving. Therefore the nutrition and management of dairy cows throughout the lactation cycle, but particularly in the transition period has anenormous influence on their health status and productivity. Not only that, nutrition in the transition period has a major influence on subsequent fertility. The monitoring of specific aspects of dairy cow nutrition is an essential part of herd health management plans to try and minimise production related diseases and at the same time improve the health, welfare and profitability of the herd. The aim is to monitor and then identify any risk factors responsible for increases in disease and poor performance. Once these risk factors have been identified, both short term and long term strategies should be put in place to rectify any nutrition or management issues underlying the risk factors. Finally, monitoring needs to be continued to assess the impact or efficacy of any changes put in place and adapt them as necessary on an ongoing basis. Ideally the whole approach to a herd health plan needs the combined involvement of the farmer, vet, and nutrition advisers.
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