When it comes to optimizing animal health in food-producing operations, there are many factors to consider. I have covered several of them in previous articles, such as providing a comfortable and clean environment, excellent nutrition and adequate disease monitoring protocols. 

During the transition period, cows experience three main physiological challenges: (1) a drop in dry matter intake (DMI) and an increase in nutrient demands, predisposing cows to mobilize fat tissue and enter a negative energy balance, (2) immunosuppression and (3) systemic inflammation.