How risky is your transition period?

10 questions, about 3 minutes. You get a risk score and the points to focus on first.

01How long is the dry period?

45–60 daysUnder 40 daysOver 70 days

02Body condition score (1–5) at calving?

3.0–3.5Above 3.75 (fat)Below 2.75 (thin)Not scored

03Are close-up cows (last ~3 weeks) fed as a separate group?

Yes, separate group and rationOne dry cow group onlyDry cows are with milking cows or heifers

04Anionic (negative DCAD) close-up diet?

Yes, and urine pH is checkedYes, but urine pH is not checkedNo

05Feed bunk space in the close-up pen?

75 cm or more per cow60–75 cm per cowLess than 60 cm / often crowded

06Clinical milk fever in older cows?

Under 2%2–5%Over 5%Not recorded

07Ketosis monitoring in fresh cows?

Routine blood/milk BHB tests, few positivesNo testingFrequent ketosis cases

08Displaced abomasum (DA) cases?

Under 2% of calvings2–4%Over 4%

09Retained placenta rate?

Under 8%8–12%Over 12%

10Fresh cow group and daily checks (temperature, appetite, rumen fill)?

Yes, bothPartlyNo

Your transition risk score

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Benchmarks are general targets from dairy literature and may differ between herds. This check does not replace a herd visit by your veterinarian or nutritionist.

© 2026 Tolga Akay. Content is educational and does not replace individual veterinary or nutrition advice.
Photos: Megumi Nachev, Bernd Dittrich, Dan Ordze, Marianne Macdonald, Heather Doty, MRC Témiscamingue, Austin, Haberdoedas II, Chittima Stanmore, National Cancer Institute, Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash.

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