Quantifying Associations of Cow Drying-Off Management Practices with Milk Yield, Udder Health and Conception Success in Nakuru Peri-Urban Smallholder Dairy Herds, Kenya

Abstract

Cow drying-off is a critical transition stage in cow fertility management for dairy farmers that if overlooked or poorly implemented in high milk yielders, could compromise cow health and welfare status, fertility, and milk productivity in the successive lactation cycle. These risks could be higher for cows in peri-urban smallholder dairying where farmers are intensifying production to attain high milk yields, but the effects of their cow drying-off practices on those risks remain a knowledge gap. This study was conducted in Nakuru peri-urban smallholder dairy farms on cows with successive lactations. The objective was to determine mean milk yield at drying-off for the different cow drying-off practices, and during early successive lactation determine milk yield, cases of mastitis and udder leakages, conception successes and days from calving- to- first insemination (D-cfi) for the different drying-off practices that farmers deploy. The study applied a cross-sectional farm survey on 172 farms with 232 cows which had successive lactations. For each cow, historical data was obtained about the two successive lactations and drying-off practices. The differences in means of milk yield at drying-off and during early successive lactation, and D-cfi for the different drying-off practices were estimated with general linear model specification. The odds ratio for cases of mastitis, udder leakages and conception successes for the different drying-off practices were estimated with a binary logistic regression specification. Drying-off practice was most frequently a gradual reduction of milking (47.0 percent) and less frequently salt or teat sealant application (3.9 – 4.7 percent). Milk yield at drying-off averaged 5.3 litres/cow/day while milk yield during early successive lactation averaged 13.4 litres/cow/day, and both showed variation (p<0.05) with drying-off practices, breed of cow and dairy intensification. Cases of mastitis, udder leakages and conception success during early successive lactation were each associated (p<0.05) with drying-off practices, breed of cow and dairy intensification. The mean number of days from calving-to- first insemination during early successive lactation varied (p<0.05) with the drying-off practices that farmers deployed, breed of cow and dairy intensification. The results are relevant to the choice of appropriate cow drying-off management practices that optimize cow udder health, productivity, fertility performance and incomes in peri-urban smallholder dairy herds. Therefore, strengthening drying-off practice will enhance milk yield, cow heath and reproductive performance, productivity and profitability and the overall dairy herd management and sustainability. These finding will provide framework for policymakers, extension delivery service and farmers for the development of dairy sector in peri-urban areas