A study was conducted in order to determine the effect of drying off methods intermittent vs. abrupt on intramammary infection rate in multiparous Holstein cows with short dry period. Twenty late lactation dairy cows were dried off approximately 4 wk prior to expected calving time. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with 2 treatments and 10 Replicates. Dry period lengths were 30±3d. The two drying off methods, abrupt (AD) or intermittent (ID), were used in this study. In intermittent milk cessation treatment, cows were dried off in following manner. Afternoon milkings were terminated 7d to 3d prior to drying off, and both noon and afternoon milking were ceased 3d to 0d prior to drying off. Milk samples were collected from front and rear quarters at 7d to 3d prior to drying off, at drying off, 14d, 7d prior to calving, at calving, and 7d post calving. Milk yield at drying off day was recorded. Drying off methods had no significant effect on milk fat, protein, lactose percentages or pH. Colostrum protein in ID method was significantly lower than AD method ( P 0.02). Lactoferrin concentrations increased markedly as involution progressed and was higher in mammary secretions from ID method ( P 0.05). Somatic cell count was significantly lower in ID group compared to AD group ( P 0.04). No significant difference was observed in total bacteria between two methods. There was positive correlation between Somatic cell count and total bacteria ( r =0.352, P 0.01). The rear quarters had significantly higher total bacteria than the front quarters ( P 0.01). Results indicated that ID method might be better for cows given short dry period even with low milk production.
