How Long Does it Take for a Cow's Milk to Dry Up?

A cow's dry period allows it time to prepare for the birth of a new calf.

A cow's dry period begins at the end of lactation when the cow is no longer milked and continues until the cow gives birth again. An adequate dry period helps the cow regain body condition and rejuvenate the mammary gland.

Length of Dry Period

The number of days a cow spends dry has a significant impact on milk production in the following lactation. Cows need a dry period lasting between 40 and 70 days to allow for restoration of mammary gland cells. Drying the cow off should be done in time to allow this optimal length of dry period.

Process

Typically, a dairy producer dries off a cow by reducing the amount of grain provided. He may also make water less accessible. The producer stops milking the cow abruptly. Pressure in the udder causes milk secretion to come to a halt and the cow quits producing milk within days.

Feeding

Cows are fed more forages and less grain during the dry period.

Dry cows must be fed a diet formulated to ensure they maintain body condition. Cows that have grown thin will need a different diet than cows already carrying too much bulk. Metabolic disorders can occur if a cow's body condition is not restored during the dry period.

References

• University of Kentucky: The Dry Period is the Key to Fresh Cow Management
• University of Illinois Lactation Biology Website: Dry Period in Dairy Cattle
• Pennsylvania State College of Agricultural Sciences: Is a Short Dry Period Possible?

Resources

• Dairy Herd Management: Dry period length, fresh cow health and postpartum fertility in dairy cows
• University of Kentucky: Importance of a Far-Off Dry Cow Program