Taking some simple steps can make selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) common practice in one’s herd, according to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).

From January 28, 2022, blanket use of antibiotic dry cow tubes will be prohibited, the authority notes. This regulatory change means that veterinary proof will be required when administering antibiotic treatment.

Consequently, SDCT will inevitably become mandatory; as a result, it is important that simple steps are taken early to make this common practice for one’s herd.

SDCT means selecting suitable animals to receive antibiotic treatment at drying off, allowing the remainder to receive teat sealer only.

In order to conduct SDCT effectively, it is important to carry out regular milk recording (a minimum of four per lactation) with at least one test 30 days before drying off.

The ICBF advises farmers to regularly check your Milk Recording SCC profile on its website to identify cows with an SCC of greater than 100,000 cells/ml throughout their lactation.

The ICBF warns that it is critically important to record your mastitis cases. Cows with no history of clinical mastitis may be considered suitable for teat sealer only.

Cows with records of clinical mastitis and/or an SCC of greater than 100,000 cells/ml should receive the appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) on all cows that have been selected to receive no antibiotics at dry-off will act as added ‘security’, the federation says.

Good hygiene practices at drying off are paramount for successful SDCT, while strict selection and regular data recording will ensure responsible antibiotic usage.

Other tips the ICBF advises include discussing and planning SDCT with your vet and ensuring that you are recording your dry off date and treatment properly.

Continuing, the federation says: “The drying off process is of great importance. By recording a cows’ dry off date you are completing her lactation on your HerdPlus and Milk Recording reports.

As a result, her lactation details will be available for pedigree certificates, sales catalogues and your Annual Report.

“Recording dry off treatments will enable you to spot trends and changes in the performance of your herd and better select cows suitable for SDCT in the future,” the ICBF concludes.