Supporting the implementation and monitoring of selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) on NY State dairy farms

Abstract

Selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) is both a cost-saving and an­timicrobially conscientious approach to the critical time of dry off in a dairy cow’s lactation. Guidance regarding proper imple­mentation is crucial to the success of a SDCT program, and farm and cow-level selection parameters should be carefully followed. The objective of this project was to create a formal program in which eligible dairy farms in New York State would receive guidance in the form of SDCT protocol development, software use, dry-off procedure training and data monitoring regarding udder health and milk quality parameters through the entire enrollment period. Here we describe the program and farm performance after implementation thus far.