The association with different types of housing for dry cows on the incidence of metritis and mastitis in the following lactation
Summary
Worldwide, public interest in animal welfare is increasing, which includes a concern about the lack of pasture access for dairy cows. Although dairy cows are highly motivated to access pasture, most research on transition diseases in dairy cows has been conducted in indoor housing systems. The distribution of incidence differed, with dry cows that had pasture access having a wider distribution in incidence than indoor housed cows for both metritis (P = 0.001) and CM (P = 0.002). In conclusion, the incidence of metritis and CM did not differ with the provision of pasture access for dry cows. However, the incidence of these diseases was more widespread in outdoor housed dry cows.