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Modern Dry-off Success: Four Trends Driving Better Cow Care

Posted on December 3, 2025December 3, 2025 by A.Miller-Cattle-Admin

Modern Dry-off Success: Four Trends Driving Better Cow Care

How these forward-thinking dairies are solving today’s dry-off challenges.

DULUTH, Ga. (Dec. 3, 2025) — Today’s dry-off challenges look different than those of the past. More cows are entering the dry period at higher production levels — a sign of progress, but one that brings added considerations for cow comfort and mastitis risk.

“It’s time to ask ourselves, ‘What can we do better at dry-off?’” said Linda Tikofsky, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “We’re more attuned to animal well-being today, and that’s reshaping our approach.”

Dr. Tikofsky works with dairies across the country and sees consistent trends among those with the most success. Here are four practices she sees shaping today’s most effective dry-off protocols:

1. Prioritizing cow comfort as nonnegotiable

An increased focus on cow comfort has been one of the more significant dry-off protocol shifts in the past few decades, according to Dr. Tikofsky.

“Cows dried off while giving large amounts of milk may experience serious discomfort,” she explained. “They vocalize more and are less likely to lie down. From a well-being standpoint, we’re addressing those concerns more these days.”

High-producing cows are also more likely to leak milk, even when using a teat sealant, and are at higher risk for mastitis post-calving.

Progressive producers like Ben Smith, owner of Cool Lawn Farm in Bealeton, Virginia, are prioritizing cow comfort by improving dry cow facilities, enhancing cooling and implementing new protocols to reduce milk production at dry-off.

“Cow comfort is the most important part of dry-off,” said Smith. “Antibiotics and treatments can help, but I don’t think any of it matters if you don’t make cow comfort a priority.”

2. Emphasizing collaborative decision-making

Decision-making on the dairy is no longer a one-person job. Many of the most successful farms rely on their team of experts with specialized knowledge to enhance performance.

“Farms today have different departments, with experts heading up each one: calf specialists, parlor manager, feeding personnel,” stated Dr. Tikofsky. “They are the best of the best in their specific area. And we’re bringing a bigger think tank to the table with outside consultants.”

This collaborative decision-making is driving better dry-off performance for many farms. “The farms I see doing the best job are collaborating with their veterinarian to review records, monitor disease incidences and tweak dry-off protocols,” noted Dr. Tikofsky.

At Larson Acres in Evansville, Wisconsin, their veterinarian was integral in their decision-making when they were looking to improve cow comfort at dry-off. “We select products if they are recommended by our veterinarian,” said Jim Trustem, the farm’s herd manager. “We go to our vet for the final answer and ask, ‘Is this worth doing?’ and our vet says, ‘Yes.’”

3. Monitoring metrics that matter

Success isn’t anecdotal — it’s measured. Dr. Tikofsky said many of her customers are measuring their dry-off success by evaluating mastitis incidence and somatic cell counts (SCC) post-freshening.

“Start by looking at your data to see where you are now and where you want to go,” she recommended. “What’s the weak point you can address?”

Dr. Tikofsky suggested aiming for less than 2% of any disease incidence post-freshening and monitoring SCC before and after the dry period. If SCC increases during that time, look for ways to improve your dry-off protocols to prevent bacteria from entering the udder.

Using data to monitor lying time and rumination can also give an indication of how comfortable cows are at dry-off.

Corinne Banker, who operates Blue Hill Farm LLC in Morrisville, New York, with her husband, says data helped them make important changes to their dry-off program. “We had always known dry-off was a difficult transition, especially at our level of milk production,” said Banker. “We would try to do our best to slow down late lactation production, but there were always some cows that just wouldn’t stop. The data from our [ear] tags helped us realize just how much our cows were struggling at dry-off. After that, we were on a mission to find out how we could make the experience more comfortable for them. BOVIKALC® DRY has been a game changer for us.”

4. Cultivating a culture of continuous improvement

An innovative mindset and embracing new tools have led the way in helping producers solve the modern problems of dry-off on their operations.

“We have a relatively high herd average when it comes to milk production, and slowing cows down for dry-off has always been a challenge,” asserted Trustem. “We tried changing their diet, but we thought there might be a better option out there.”

Trustem, along with Smith and Banker, has turned to BOVICALK® DRY acidogenic boluses as part of their dry-off protocols to address these challenges and continually improve the performance of their herds.

Their approach reflects a larger shift in the industry — one that prioritizes continuous improvement and practical solutions to meet the evolving demands of today’s high-performing herds.

Start with your veterinarian to identify the changes that will make the biggest difference in your herd.

About Boehringer Ingelheim – Animal Health business

Boehringer Ingelheim provides innovation for preventing and treating diseases in animals. The company offers a wide range of vaccines, parasite-control products, and medicines for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim values that the health of humans and animals is deeply connected and strives to make a difference for people, animals, and society. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/animal-health.

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

For more information, please contact:

Nicole Smith

(608) 214-0384

Associate PR Director, broadhead

nsmith@broadheadco.com

Beth Breeding

(703) 946-0370

Associate Director, PR & Communications, Livestock, Equine & Ag, Boehringer Ingelheim

elizabeth.breeding@boehringer-ingelheim.com

USCA Urges D.C. to Prioritize U.S. Producers

Posted on November 26, 2025 by A.Miller-Cattle-Admin

U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Urges Washington: Prioritize U.S. Producers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) issues the following statement in response to a recent wave of policy announcements and trade decisions that have continued a trend of uncertainty within the U.S. cattle industry and livestock marketplace, including the cancellation of tariffs on Brazilian beef.

With the national herd at a 75-year low, the domestic cattle industry is facing historic challenges. American ranchers are only now seeing prices that make their businesses sustainable; yet new signals from Washington risk undermining this critical progress.

USCA recognizes that trade and tariff policies are complex tools that can be beneficial when wielded with long-term strategy and consistency. When used correctly, tariffs bolster the competitive viability of U.S. ranchers in their own market, protect the American consumers from inferior foreign product, and demonstrate national priority for U.S.-grown beef. However, recent actions, including a new agreement to clear the way for additional beef imports from Argentina and an executive order exempting beef from reciprocal tariffs, have created confusion and concern among U.S. ranchers.

The most recent announcement on the cancellation of 40% tariff, following the earlier removal of the 10% reciprocal tariff, marks an inconsistent and unsafe trade strategy. Easing restrictions with Brazil, a country with a documented history of forced labor, deforestation, and product integrity issues in the beef sector, is alarming. These actions signal an increasing administrative focus on sourcing foreign beef precisely when domestic producers need clear signals for reinvestment.

“When Washington pushes policies that flood the market with imported beef, it sends a crystal-clear message to every American rancher: ‘Don’t invest.’ We cannot rebuild our domestic herd if every signal we receive tells us we’ll be undercut by foreign supply,” said USCA President Justin Tupper. “Our members believe in fair market competition, but they also believe in long-term survival. That survival depends on a national focus that zeroes in on building up an industry here at home that feeds families and strengthens our food security. Now is the time to invest in U.S. cattlemen—not to increase dependence on outside sources.”

USCA supports all efforts to restore fair competition and transparency in the beef packing sector including the recently announced DOJ investigation of the country’s largest packers. “We appreciate the Administration once again picking up the torch of investigating the ‘Big 4’ meatpackers,” President Tupper noted. “However, an investigation is only as good as its enforcement and pursuit. Past inquiries left producers without answers; we expect this time will be different in outcome, not just in intent. We urge the Administration to ensure this investigation leads to substantive action and real reforms.”

USCA stands ready to work with the Administration and Congress on policies that build, not bypass, U.S. cattle producers. Our ranchers produce the world’s highest quality beef. Let’s set the example—and set the table—with American-grown.

More Information Found Here: Home – United States Cattlemen’s Association

Enhancing Cattle Performance with an IPM Approach and the 30/30 Method

Posted on November 26, 2025 by Jessica Graham

In beef production, small changes can deliver significant gains, especially when it comes to insect control and pasture management. As fly season stretches longer each year and climate patterns become more unpredictable, cattle producers must rethink how they support animal health, weight gain, and profitability. One of the most effective ways is implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to include a larvicide with the 30/30 approach by Central Life Sciences.

From pasture upkeep to fly control strategies like Altosid^® IGR, IPM supports performance by focusing on cattle comfort, consistent feed efficiency, and disease prevention. When producers follow a 30/30 larvicide schedule, feeding Altosid^® IGR 30 days before temperatures hit 60°F and continuing 30 days after the first frost, they get ahead of horn fly populations before they do damage. Here’s how an IPM program, anchored by the 30/30 method, can enhance cattle performance throughout the grazing season and beyond.

How Do Horn Flies Factor into Cattle Comfort
Cattle performance starts with cattle comfort. When cattle are stressed, whether from things like heat or drought, they expand energy managing that stress instead of converting grass into weight. Producers plan ahead for heat stress through ensuring shade, fresh water and managing forage, but often overlook the role horn flies play in stressing their pastured cattle. A population of 200 horn flies per cow signals the economic threshold – the point where pest management should take place in order to avoid economic loss.

Horn flies are constantly taking bloodmeals and high populations cause stress that leads to increased heart rate, body temperature and impacts efficiency. Studies have proven time and time again that horn flies impact weaning weights, average daily gain, grazing time, and transfer diseases like mastitis.

The Risk of Mastitis in Beef Cattle
Though mastitis is more commonly discussed in dairy herds, its impact on beef cattle can be equally detrimental. Transmitted through fly bites, mastitis damages milk-producing tissues in the udder. Infected cows may develop blind quarters, reduced milk production, and ultimately wean lighter calves, all of which affect long-term herd profitability. Horn flies are proven vectors of Heifer Mastitis, a specific strain that infects developing udders before those females are brought into production. Often, Heifer Mastitis is overlooked and not treated, allowing more damage to the tissues all before her first calf hits the ground.

Integrated Pest Management: A Strategic Solution
To protect herd health and enhance performance, implementing an IPM program is critical. IPM is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a layered, adaptable approach that targets pests through multiple control methods, focusing on preventative measures rather than reactive. When practiced correctly, IPM delivers sustainable results without over-reliance on chemical treatments.

1. Cultural Control
Cultural controls are the foundation of an effective IPM strategy. This includes husbandry and sanitation – everything from pasture management and manure cleanup to managing unwanted vegetation. Horn flies stay with the cattle rarely leaving and larva only develop in very fresh cattle manure.

2. Biological Control
Nature provides some of its own pest control, if you know where to look. Biological control involves supporting beneficial organisms like dung beetles, predatory beetles and other natural parasitoids or introducing parasitic wasps which feed on fly larvae and pupae. These natural enemies help keep pest populations in check without harming cattle or the environment.

3. Chemical Control
While cultural and biological controls build a strong foundation, chemical controls round out the IPM approach. Traditional topical products like pour-ons, sprays, insecticidal ear tags can become ineffective as the fly season stretches on due to insecticidal resistance in the horn fly population. This is where targeted feed-through fly control products like Altosid^® IGR play a central role. Altosid^® IGR contains an insect growth regulator, or larvicide, that prevents horn fly pupae from maturing into adult flies. Unlike traditional products that target the already problematic adult horn flies, Altosid^® IGR doesn’t rely on direct contact. Instead, cattle ingest the larvicide through their supplement, and it passes into their manure, right where horn flies lay eggs. Altosid^® IGR targets the developing larva, stopping the next generation before they become problematic adults.

The 30/30 Approach: Timing is Everything
The key to success with feed-through fly control is timing. That’s where the 30/30 approach comes in. Developed by Central Life Sciences, the 30/30 method is designed to outsmart horn fly life cycles and account for seasonal variability.

Start Early
Begin feeding Altosid^® IGR 30 days before average daily temperatures hit 60°F. This is the threshold at which overwintering flies begin to emerge and start breeding. By getting ahead of this emergence, producers can reduce the first wave of horn fly populations and prevent exponential growth later in the season.

Finish Strong
Continue feeding Altosid^® IGR until 30 days after the first fall frost. Even after a strong frost, warm spells can trigger late-season fly activity. Continuing treatment helps target any remaining pupae and significantly reduces the number of flies that overwinter and emerge next spring.

By following the 30/30 schedule, producers essentially “close the loop” on the horn fly life cycle, reducing the pest’s ability to bounce back with each passing season.

A Smarter Strategy for Cattle Success
From pasture planning and hydration to fly control and disease prevention, every aspect of cattle management plays a role in herd performance. Integrated Pest Management, combined with the strategic timing of the 30/30 approach, gives producers a smarter, more sustainable way to fight pests and boost performance. By controlling horn flies before they cause harm and managing their breeding grounds with a complete IPM program, producers not only protect their herd’s health but also improve their bottom line.

The key is consistency: Start early, finish strong, and stick to your plan. With Altosid^® IGR, cultural practices, and biological controls working together, you’ll build a more resilient herd, one that eats, grows, and thrives all season long. Learn more at AltosidIGR.com.