Are you milk recording?
Is your bulk tank SCC consistently below 200,000 cells/mL?
Are you ready to reduce antibiotic use at drying off?

If so, then your herd may be suitable for a selective dry cow therapy strategy this winter.
With the right hygiene, management and support, many herds are successfully reducing their
antibiotic use at drying off, by developing selective dry cow strategies in consultation with
their veterinary practitioners. A free Dry Cow Consult is available again this year for eligible
herds, delivered through the Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health, funded by the Rural
Development Programme and coordinated by Animal Health Ireland.
This 3-hour consultation is carried out with your selected trained veterinary practitioner and
is an opportunity to assess the current drying off process and dry period performance and
identify additional gains that can be made. Milk recording results and farm records will also be
analysed to identify individual animals that may be suitable for a ‘non-antibiotic’ dry off, and
the best way of implementing this.
It is important to remember that a selective dry cow strategy is not without risk and is not
something to embark on without seeking professional support and advice.

visit www.animalhealthireland.ie to sign up