Control social structure in the prefresh pen by limiting new additions to a once-per-week cycle.More difficult and may require separate pens for Johne’s cowsĭepending on level of supervision, opportunity for calves to suck the wrong dam firstĮach strategy has different keys for success.įor the just-in-time-calving approach, the keys to success are: Good, provided excellent bedding management in the calving pen(s) High due to the use of multiple bedded packsĭecreased, as cows do not have to be moved when they are in labor Limited to stall bedding and bedding for individual or group calving pen Space Requirement and Cost of Constructionġ5% more roof space required, but less concrete and stall construction costs Socially Stable Prefresh/Calving Group Penįreestalls and individual or group bedded packġ5% less roof space required, but more concrete and stall construction costs Comparison of two strategies for managing the cow at the point of calving. Manage socially stable group pens throughout the prefresh period and calve in the prefresh pen, which in this scenario is a bedded pack.Įach strategy has some advantages and disadvantages laid out in the table below that should be discussed before continuing with the plan.Move cows from a prefresh pen with freestalls to an individual or group calving pen at the point of calving – referred to as “just-in-time-calving.”.In order to limit the risk for dystocia and stillbirth and avoid movement and social upheaval within the critical period of two to seven days before calving, there are only two possible strategies: “How am I going to manage my cows at the point of calving?” The planning process starts with one simple question: Please check this link first if you are interested in organic or specialty dairy production. In this article, I will summarize the planning process we have devised and used successfully to create these new facilities. Over the last few years, my colleagues in the Food Animal Production Medicine group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have used our clinical experiences troubleshooting fresh cow health problems on farms, research conducted by other groups, and our own research findings to formulate a plan for designing transition cow barns which results in optimal health and performance. Provide sufficient stalls and bedded pack space. Sand-bedded stalls sized to accommodate the cow. Minimize pen moves two to 10 days before calving. Provide adequate bunk space prefresh and postfresh.