The dry period is a critical time during a cow’s lactation cycle when we see an increase in mammary epithelial cells proliferation so she can replace the cells that have likely died off during the course of her lactation with new cells that can be active and provide adequate milk in the next lactation. In this UW-Madison Extension Dairy Program webinar, Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences Lactation Physiology Professor Laura Hernandez discusses calcium metabolism in the mammary gland and the physiology during the transition period and the other factors the mammary gland needs in order to thrive.
