Dry Period Management: Preparing for the Next Lactation

Dry Period Management: Preparing for the Next Lactation

The dry period (when you stop milking a pregnant buffalo before she gives birth) is crucial for the animal's subsequent lactation yield and the health of the calf.

Why 60 Days?

A buffalo needs at least 60 days of dry period to allow udder tissues to regenerate and to prepare colostrum. Milking right up to calving reduces the next lactation’s milk yield by up to 20%.

How to Dry Off Properly

Do not stop milking abruptly if the animal is giving a lot of milk. Gradually reduce milking from twice a day to once a day, then every alternate day over a week. Reduce concentrate feed during this week to naturally suppress milk production.

Dry Period Feeding (Challenge Feeding)

While she isn't producing milk, the calf inside her is growing rapidly.

• Far-off Dry Period (First 40 Days): Feed high-quality roughage with a maintenance level of concentrate.
• Close-up Dry Period (Last 20 Days): Introduce "challenge feeding." Gradually increase the concentrate allowance. This conditions the rumen microbes for the high-grain diet she will need after calving and prevents metabolic disorders.

Proper dry cow therapy ensures your Murrah returns to peak production efficiently and healthily.