Dry Dairy Cows May Need More Rest – Vet Guide 2025 🐄🛌

Welcome! I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. Ensuring a live calf every year is key for dairy profitability and welfare. A 2023 study from Ohio State indicates that dry dairy cows lying down more pre-calving are significantly likelier to deliver live calves. In this deep‑dive, I’ll explain the study, how resting ties to cow health and metabolic state, and guide you through enhancing cow comfort and management during the critical 3 weeks pre-calving. I'll also show how Ask A Vet can support you in optimizing this important period.

1. Why Rest Matters Late in Gestation 💤

The "dry period"—3 weeks pre- and post-calving—is vital for udder recovery and calf development. Ohio State researchers, tracking over 1,000 cows with electronic monitoring 14 days before calving, calculated the “coefficient of variation” of lying time—how consistent their rest pattern was. They also monitored blood levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and calcium around calving.

2. Key Study Findings

• Cows delivering live calves rested **nearly 1 hour more daily** in the week before calving than those with stillbirths.
• About **5%** of calves were stillborn or died within 24 h postpartum.
• Older cows with stillbirths had **higher NEFA levels** pre-calving—signaling metabolic stress—compared to cows with live births. Heifers didn’t show this pattern.

Conclusion: improving rest quality and consistency late in pregnancy could reduce stillbirth risk.

3. The Link Between Lying Time & Metabolic Health 🧠

Lying time is more than just comfort—it directly affects:

• NEFA concentration: Elevated NEFA signals fat breakdown from energy deficits, which impairs immunity and birth success.
• Multi-dimensional health: Rest supports digestion, immunity, calcium balance, and muscle function.
• Stress reduction: Calm, comfortable cows have better hormonal balance and reduce dystocia risk.

4. Optimizing Lying Behavior & Bedding Comfort

Enhance lying time with these improvements:

1. Bedding depth: Use ≥10 cm deep bedding—sand, compost, or mattress—for soft, clean lying surfaces.
2. Stocking density: Allow ≥100 sq ft per dry cow. Overcrowding reduces rest.
3. Frequent grooming: Regular bedding upkeep prevents hardness and wet bedding.
4. Comfort flooring: Install rubber mats or geotextile on concrete surfaces.
5. Access to feed zones: Ensure feed and water are within standing distance to discourage lying far from essentials.
6. Environmental control: Minimize heat stress with fans, ventilation, or shade to support resting behavior.

5. Herd Grouping & Management for Rest

Grouping and movement impact rest patterns:

• Consistent grouping: Keep dry cows in stable cohorts to reduce social stress.
• Gentle transitions: Limit regrouping and pen changes in the late dry period.
• Strategic pen moves: When required, move cows to birthing pens 1–2 days pre-calving—not days earlier.
• Low-stress handling: Reduce noise, handle calmly, and avoid rushing cows into pens.

6. Monitoring Rest & Metabolic Indicators

Use technology or simple observation:

• Electronic monitors: Activity monitors assess sleep, rest patterns, and consistency.
• Visual checks: Note cows lying down; identify those standing often or restless.
• Blood tests: Track NEFA 1–2 weeks before calving and calcium 48 h after; high NEFA warns of metabolic stress.
• Record health outcomes: Link metrics to calf vitality and labor duration.

7. Feeding & Nutrition Supports Rest

Balance diet and body condition to improve lying time:

• Maintain BCS: Target score 3.0–3.5—under or overconditioned cows lie less and risk metabolic issues.
• Balanced w/o NEB: reduce negative energy; avoid excessive energy restriction pre-calving.
• Anionic salts: Balance DCAD 2–3 weeks pre-calving to support calcium mobilization and comfort.
• Fiber & digestibility: Include effective fiber like chopped hay or straw to promote rumination and rest.

8. Role of Ask A Vet 📱

Ask A Vet supports you with:

• Advice on bedding, stall setup, and comfort adjustments
• Monitoring tools for rest behavior and metabolic indicators
• DCAD diet planning and body condition guidance
• Tele‑vet support for monitoring NEFA, calcium, and pre-calving cow health
• Healthy transition planning, including pen moves and calving prep

9. Take‑Home Tips for 2025

• Cows that rest more pre-calving> are significantly more likely to deliver live calves.
• Consistency matters: longer lying time *and consistent patterns* improve metabolic health.
• Bedding, pen, diet & stress management all influence rest.
• NEFA monitoring identifies cows at risk of metabolic imbalance.
• Ask A Vet helps farms optimize calving success.

Conclusion

Ensuring dry dairy cows get enough rest in the final weeks of pregnancy makes a real difference in calving outcomes. By optimizing comfort, nutrition, grouping, and monitoring, you can significantly reduce stillbirth rates and support cow welfare and productivity. With Ask A Vet guidance, you can implement these strategies confidently in 2025 and beyond. Here’s to healthier cows and thriving calves! 🐮❤️