what is cow dry?

[spinnDrSandy]

Is there a product you can give a cow to assist or hasten her drying up? If so, can you get it commercially or do you have to get it from a vet?

[Ronney]

I have no idea but why would you want to use it if such a thing were available? If the cow is at the lower end of her lactation they will dry off rapidly once you decrease the amount of times you are milking her. Go down to once a day for a couple of days, then once a day every second day and so on. By the end of 7-8 days she usually won't be worth milking and will dry off naturally. This is assuming that she is a milking cow of course rather than a beef that has lost a calf or some other scenario, in which case you would have to go about it differently.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[Up North]

To assist a cow to dry off readily you would do best to follow Ronnie's instructions. Also it helps to cut any grain feeding to little or none. Perhaps you have heard folks speak of "Dry Cow" which is a generic term for preventive antibiotic medicine. Dry Cow (an example would be "Tommorow" product from Fort Dodge Laboratories) Does not hasten or help a cow dry off. It is infused into the 4 Quarters of the Udder, 1 Tube per quarter, as a preventive against a cow contracting mastitis during her dry period.
It is available over the counter at most farm supply stores or from a vet's office.
Using Dry Cow products is optional - Just read Label on milk and slaughter withholding guidelines if you choose to use it.